What Is an Abdominal Ultrasound?
This non-invasive imaging test examines the organs and tissues within your abdomen. The images produced by an abdominal ultrasound guide your internist toward the correct diagnosis of a wide range of abdominal conditions. The organs exposed by an abdominal ultrasound include your:
- Liver
- Gallbladder
- Spleen
- Pancreas
- Kidneys
- Bile ducts
- Abdominal blood vessels, such as the inferior vena cava and the aorta
An ultrasound device sends high-frequency sound waves through a hand-held probe called a transducer. When a sonographer places the transducer on your stomach, the ultrasound waves penetrate your abdomen and bounce off the organs. The reflected sound waves produce a live image on a monitor. At the Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center your doctor uses this innovative medical technology as a diagnostic test to gather comprehensive information.
When Do I Need an Abdominal Ultrasound?
Your doctor may order this imaging test to get clarity about any underlying issues that could be behind specific symptoms. Some conditions that may require an abdominal ultrasound include:
- Blood clotting
- Abdominal pain
- GERD or heartburn
- Hernia
- Kidney blockage
- Appendicitis
- Stones in your kidneys or gall bladder
- Distended organs, including the liver, spleen or kidneys
- Abdominal masses, such as tumors, cysts or abscesses
- Fatty liver disease
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- An inflamed pancreas
- Pyloric stenosis, a condition that narrows the lower part of your stomach
- Cholecystitis or gallbladder inflammation
- Suspected cancer
An abdominal ultrasound is a versatile diagnostic test that can reveal quite a bit about the condition of your internal organs, including the signs of any disorders. At the multi-specialty Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center, a team of technicians take care of you when you undergo the test. The state-of-the-art facility boasts a patient-centered approach that puts your comfort and well-being at the top of the priority list.
How Do I Prepare for an Abdominal Ultrasound?
During your initial consultation, your internist or primary care physician explains the reasons to perform the ultrasound and what it may show. Before your test, the doctor advises you on how to prepare for the ultrasound. Some of the things you need to do include:
- Don’t eat or drink for eight to 12 hours before your test. Any undigested food in your abdomen or urine in your bladder can block the sound waves, blurring the resulting images.
- If you take any medications, you can continue to take them, but try to use as little water as possible.
- Wear loose-fitting garments or bring a simple change of clothes before the ultrasound.
- If you experience any discomfort before the ultrasound, consult your doctor for advice.
Make sure you arrive on time for your test. You may be asked to change to a hospital gown to allow for easy probing. Your doctor or a sonographer guides you through the steps involved in the test, but it’s usually painless.