An abdominal ultrasound (AU) is performed to find out the source of abdominal discomfort or pain. It is also carried out to observe, measure, and detect an aneurysm inside the aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body. An aneurysm may bring about a large, pulsating bump in the abdominal cavity.
AUs are also used for following up on the growth, shape, and location of the liver. An ultrasonography can be carried out to evaluate jaundice and related disorders of the liver, including liver cirrhosis, masses, fat sediments in the liver (called fatty liver), or abnormal liver function tests.
These days, abdominal ultrasounds find gallstones, inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis), or obstructed bile ducts while they also detect kidney stones.
More Uses of Abdominal Ultrasounds
Abdominal ultrasounds are commonly used to evaluate the growth of an enlarged spleen and search for injury or illness. They are also employed to find disorders with the pancreas, such as pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer.
Patients diagnosed with urinary obstruction owe the majority of their diagnoses to abdominal ultrasound procedures. A kidney ultrasonography can be performed to: ascertain the size of the kidneys, investigate kidney abnormalities, detect liquids surrounding the kidneys, find causes for repeated urinary tract infections, or check the condition of transplanted kidneys.
Doctors can ascertain whether a mass in any region of an abdominal organ (such as the kidney) is a harmful tumor or simply an insignificant fluid-filled cyst. They find out the current condition of the abdominal organ structures following a traumatic incident or abdominal damage.
Abdominal ultrasounds are also used to search for blood in the abdomen. However, CAT (computed axial tomography) scanning is used a lot more for this since it is far more accurate than an abdominal ultrasound.
Ultrasound techs can direct the positioning of a needle or related instrument at the time of a biopsy and monitor fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites). An ultrasonography technique may be carried out to maneuver the needle during a surgical procedure when clearing out fluid from the abdomen (abdominocentesis).
Preparing for an Abdominal Ultrasound
Tell your physician if you've had a barium enema procedure or a number of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) procedures within the past two days. Barium substances that stay in the large and small bowels for long periods can create problems with the ultrasonography test.
Additional preparations depend on the rationality for the abdominal ultrasound you're getting. For ultrasounds of the spleen, gallbladder, liver, and pancreas, you might be expected to consume a fat-free meal on the night prior to the procedure and then keep from eating for eight to dozen hours prior to the test.
For ultrasonography of the kidneys, you might not be required to make any specific preparation. However, you may be expected to consume four to six glasses of fluids (typically water or juice) about 60 minutes before the procedure in order to fill up your bladder.
You will be expected to avoid eating for eight to twelve hours prior to the procedure to keep out any buildup of gas in the large and small bowels. For ultrasound of the aorta (the largest blood vessel), you may have to avoid consuming food for eight to twelve hours prior to the procedure.
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References:
Fischbach FT, Dunning MB III, eds. (2004). "Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests" (7). Philadelphia; Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Pagana KD, Pagana TJ (2006). "Mosby’s Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests." (3) St. Louis; Mosby.
Naheed Ali - Naheed Ali, M.D., is a nationally recognized author, speaker and health advocate who began writing professionally in 2005. Additional info ...
