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Abdomen

Overview

An abdominal ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure that examines organs such as the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, urinary bladder and major blood vessels such as the abdominal aorta. 

Why have an abdominal ultrasound scan? 

The most common reason for an abdominal ultrasound is pain and this examination may help your doctor determine the cause of that pain. It may be possible to see conditions such as:

  • Fatty liver disease
  • Gallstones
  • Pancreatitis
  • Kidney stones
  • Bladder stones
  • Enlargement of the prostate which may indicate why you are not emptying your bladder.
  • Enlargement of the aorta in cases of an aneurysm.
  • Benign conditions such as cysts and small lumps in the organs.
  • More serious conditions such as non-benign tumours.

Unfortunately, ultrasound does not always give us all the answers and you may need further tests to confirm a diagnosis. These may include CT or MR imaging and blood tests. The Sonographer will discuss these with you if they are needed and make recommendations in their report.

Preparation for the scan 

You will be asked not to eat, drink or smoke for 4 hours before your appointment. Then 1.5 hours before your appointment time will ask you to drink 2 pints of water. We understand this can be difficult and will discuss any concerns when you make your appointment. Please advise us at the time of booking if you are on medication that needs to be taken at a certain time and we will try find a suitable appointment for you.

How do I get the results? 

After the examination, the Sonographer will explain the findings and go through your report with you. You will receive two copies of the report, one for you and one for your doctor.

Limitations of ultrasound 

Unfortunately, ultrasound has its limitations and we may not get the best views if you have a high BMI, excess gas in your abdomen, or if you haven’t followed the preparation instructions. If we think we can get better views in some of these cases we will rebook you for a follow-up scan, which will be free of charge. 

Ultrasound can only detect abnormalities that are present at the time of the scan. Abnormalities can develop at any time, and while the Sonographer will look for early changes, they cannot predict the future. If you have concerns about anything, please discuss them with the Sonographer before, during or after the scan.