US ABDOMEN - PELVIS

What is an Abdomino-Pelvic Ultrasound?

An Abdomino-Pelvic Ultrasound, also known as sonography, is an imaging technique that utilizes a small, handheld device called a transducer. This transducer is placed on your skin and sends high-frequency sound waves into your body. These sound waves travel through tissues and bounce off your internal organs. The transducer then captures the returning sound waves (echoes), and a powerful computer translates them into a live, moving image on a monitor.

A key benefit of this technology is its safety profile. Unlike X-rays or CT scans, an ultrasound does not use any ionizing radiation, making it an extremely safe procedure for people of all ages, including pregnant women.

Types of Abdomino-Pelvic Ultrasound

The primary technique used for this examination is the Transabdominal Ultrasound. This is the method most people are familiar with, where the transducer is moved across the skin of your abdomen and pelvis.

In some cases, the radiologist may also use Doppler Ultrasound. This is a special feature of the ultrasound machine that allows the specialist to visualize and evaluate blood flow through the major arteries and veins in your abdomen, such as the aorta and portal vein. This helps detect blockages, narrowing, or other abnormalities in your blood vessels.

A common question patients have is, "what does abdomen and pelvis ultrasound show?" This comprehensive scan provides a detailed look at numerous vital organs. A radiologist at Cadabams Diagnostics will carefully examine the following structures:

Abdominal Organs

• Liver: Assessed for size, shape, texture (echotexture), and the presence of cysts, tumours, or signs of fatty liver disease.
• Gallbladder: Inspected for gallstones, polyps, inflammation (cholecystitis), or blockages in the bile ducts.
• Pancreas: Examined for inflammation (pancreatitis), cysts, or tumours. Visibility can sometimes be limited by gas.
• Spleen: Checked for enlargement (splenomegaly) or any other abnormalities.
• Kidneys: Evaluated for size, shape, and signs of kidney stones, cysts, tumours, or blockages causing swelling (hydronephrosis).
• Aorta: The main artery in the abdomen is measured to screen for an aneurysm (a dangerous bulge in the vessel wall).

Pelvic Organs

• Bladder: Checked for wall thickness, capacity, and the presence of stones or polyps.
• Uterus and Ovaries (in females): Examined for size, shape, and abnormalities like uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, or other growths.
• Prostate Gland (in males): Assessed for size and general shape, often as part of evaluating urinary symptoms.

Beyond a direct suspicion from your doctor, there are many specific reasons you might be scheduled for this test. These include:

• Pain: Unexplained pain located anywhere from your upper abdomen to your lower pelvic region.
• Swelling: Abnormal or localized swelling or the detection of a lump by you or your doctor.
• Urinary Issues: Symptoms like increased frequency, urgency, difficulty urinating, or blood in the urine.
• Digestive Problems: Persistent nausea, vomiting, or bloating that doesn't have a clear cause.
• Menstrual Problems: Irregular periods, heavy bleeding, or severe pelvic pain in women.
• Monitoring Known Conditions: To track the progression or treatment of conditions like fatty liver disease, uterine fibroids, or kidney cysts.
• Screening: To screen for an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), particularly in older male smokers.

When and Who Needs to Take an Abdomino-Pelvic Ultrasound?

Your doctor may recommend an Abdomino-Pelvic Ultrasound if you are experiencing symptoms that point towards an issue with your abdominal or pelvic organs. Common indications include:

• Persistent or unexplained pain in your abdomen or pelvis
• Chronic bloating or a feeling of fullness
• Abnormal results from blood tests, such as liver function or kidney function tests
• Suspicion of issues with your gallbladder, such as gallstones
• Investigating the cause of urinary problems
• Concerns related to the liver, spleen, or pancreas
• Evaluating gynecological issues like abnormal bleeding or pelvic pain in women
• Assessing the prostate gland in men

Advantages of Having the Test Taken are:

Choosing to have an Abdomino-Pelvic Ultrasound offers several key benefits:

• High Diagnostic Value: It provides a clear, real-time view of many vital organs, often revealing the cause of symptoms without the need for more invasive procedures or surgery.
• Exceptional Safety: With no radiation exposure, it is safe for nearly everyone, from children to the elderly, and is the preferred imaging method during pregnancy.
• Guides Further Care: The results can help guide subsequent steps in your medical care, such as determining if a biopsy is needed, planning for surgery, or deciding on the best course of treatment.
• Painless and Quick: The procedure is generally quick, painless, and does not require any injections or anaesthesia.

Illnesses That can be Highlighted by the Pelvis Ultrasound include:

This single test can help diagnose a wide array of medical conditions affecting both the abdomen and pelvis. Some of the most common findings include:

• Gallstones
• Kidney stones and blockages
• Fatty liver disease
• Liver cirrhosis
• Cysts (in the kidneys, liver, or ovaries)
• Uterine fibroids
• Endometrial abnormalities
• Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly)
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
• Tumours (both benign and malignant) in various organs
• Fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites)
• Appendicitis (in some cases)
• Prostate enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)

Proper USG abdomen and pelvis preparation is essential for obtaining the clearest and most accurate images. Please follow these instructions carefully. The preparation involves two key parts: fasting for the abdominal scan and having a full bladder for the pelvic scan.

• Fasting (for the Abdominal Scan): You must fast for 6-8 hours before your appointment. This means no eating or drinking (except for plain water, as instructed for bladder filling). Fasting reduces the amount of gas in your intestines, which can obscure the view of organs like the pancreas and aorta. It also ensures your gallbladder is full of bile and not contracted, making it much easier to evaluate for gallstones or other issues.

• Full Bladder (for the Pelvic Scan): You must drink 4-6 glasses (about 1 litre) of water, finishing about one hour before your scan time. It is very important that you DO NOT empty your bladder before the test. A full bladder provides a clear "acoustic window," pushing the bowel out of the way and allowing the sonographer to get an unobstructed view of your pelvic organs, such as the uterus, ovaries, or prostate.

Pre-requisites

• A referral or prescription from your doctor is generally required to undergo the test.
• Please bring your doctor's referral note, any previous imaging reports (such as prior ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRIs), and your medical history with you to your appointment at Cadabams Diagnostics.

Best Time to Take the Abdomino-Pelvic Ultrasound

Many patients find that scheduling a morning appointment is most convenient. This allows you to complete the 6-8 hour fasting period overnight while you sleep, making it more manageable.

Eligibility

The Abdomino-Pelvic Ultrasound is suitable for almost everyone, including children, adults, and the elderly. There are no major contraindications. However, it is important to inform the technologist if you have had recent abdominal surgery or have any open wounds or dressings in the area to be scanned.

Procedure for Taking an Abdomino-Pelvic Ultrasound

Understanding the abdomino-pelvic ultrasound procedure can help you feel more comfortable and prepared on the day of your test. Here is a step-by-step guide to what you can expect at Cadabams Diagnostics:

1. Check-in and Preparation: After checking in, you may be asked to change into a comfortable hospital gown to allow easy access to your abdomen and pelvis.
2. Positioning: You will be asked to lie comfortably on your back on an examination table.
3. Gel Application: A clear, water-based gel will be applied to the skin over your abdomen and pelvis. This gel feels cool but is harmless. It helps eliminate air pockets between the transducer and your skin, ensuring good transmission of the sound waves.
4. Scanning: The sonographer (a specially trained technologist) will press the transducer firmly against your skin and move it back and forth over the area of interest to capture the images. They will be watching the images on a monitor in real-time.
5. Instructions During the Scan: You may be asked to take a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds. This helps move the liver down from behind the ribcage for a better view. You may also be asked to turn onto your right or left side to help shift the position of organs and get different angles.
6. Duration: The entire abdomino-pelvic ultrasound procedure typically takes between 30 and 45 minutes to complete.

Caution Before Taking the Test

Your comfort is important to us. Please inform the sonographer if you are experiencing severe pain in any specific area before they begin. Also, please remember the importance of not emptying your bladder. The pelvic portion of the scan is done first while your bladder is full. The sonographer will let you know when you can use the restroom, typically before the abdominal portion begins if required