Examination of the internal organs in the abdomen using high-frequency sound waves. If a Doppler ultrasound is done, the doctor is able to see blood flow in major blood vessels.
An abdominal ultrasound can examine the following:
- Abdomen
- Liver
- Spleen
- Pancreas
- Gallbladder
- Kidneys
- Ovaries and uterus (including pregnant uterus and fetus within)
- Aorta and other abdominal arteries (via Doppler ultrasound)
Ultrasound produces real-time images of soft tissue and can capture movement of internal organs. Therefore, it is used to visualize and diagnose problems inside the abdominal cavity. A diagnostic ultrasound is most often performed for the following reasons:
- To diagnose an injury or disease of the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, or other organs inside the abdomen
- To help determine the cause of abdominal pain
-
To identify
gallbladder
or
kidney stones
- To assess for tumors, cysts, abscesses, or other masses in the abdomen
- To help determine why an internal organ is enlarged
- To examine a pregnant uterus and the fetus within
-
To evaluate the aorta for the presence of an
aneurysm
- To evaluate narrowing of the arteries in the abdomen
- To assess a spleen injury
-
To evaluate liver disease or
pancreatitis
- To locate a foreign object in the abdomen, such as a bullet
- Both obesity and dehydration can make it more difficult to identify organs during the test
- Air in the intestines may block views of the internal organs
-
The presence of
barium
or other contrast materials in the intestine can block views of the internal organs (Therefore, abdominal ultrasound should be done before other diagnostic imaging tests that require contrast material.)
Your doctor will likely do the following:
- Physical exam
- Occasionally, other tests such as a blood tests
When making the appointment, ask about dietary instructions. You may be asked to fast for 8 to 12 hours before the test to decrease the amount of gas in the intestines. For some types of ultrasound, a full bladder helps visualization. In these cases, you will be asked to drink six or more glasses of water and not to urinate before the scan.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing
You will be asked to lie still on a flat table in a darkened room. The darkness helps the technician see images on the screen.
There is no anesthesia associated with this ultrasound
procedure.
The technician applies a conductive gel to the abdomen and presses a transducer against the skin. This is a small, hand-held device that converts energy from one form to another. The gel helps transmit sound waves between the skin and the transducer because these waves cannot travel through air.
The transducer sends high-frequency sound waves toward the internal organs, which reflect the sound waves back to the skin. The transducer receives these sound waves and converts them into electrical impulses that become a visible image on the echocardiography machine.
The technician watches the images as they appear on the machine's screen. The technician can capture a still image or videotape moving images for review at a later time. To obtain clearer and more complete images, the technician may move the transducer to different places on the abdomen. You may be asked to change positions or hold your breath during the exam.
The gel necessary for the ultrasound will be cleaned off the abdomen.
The procedure generally takes about 30 minutes.
No. An ultrasound is not invasive and not painful. The gel may feel cold when it is first applied, and holding the transducer tightly against the skin produces a sensation of pressure and in some cases discomfort. For instance, pressure on a full bladder feels uncomfortable.
There are no complications typically associated with diagnostic ultrasound of the abdomen.
There is no hospital stay for this procedure.
- Clean the gel off your skin
- Resume normal activities unless directed otherwise by the doctor
A radiologist analyzes and interprets the images created by the ultrasound and gives a report to your doctor. Your doctor will make recommendations for treatment based on this report.
- Your symptoms become worse
Last reviewed November 2007 by
Daus Mahnke, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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