ULTRASOUND ABDOMEN

An Abdominal Ultrasound, often called a USG Abdomen, is a very common and important medical imaging test. If your doctor has recommended one, you may have questions about what to expect. At Cadabam's Diagnostics, we believe in empowering our patients with clear, comprehensive information. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about your upcoming Abdominal Ultrasound, from its purpose and preparation to the procedure itself. The primary goal of this test is to create detailed, real-time images of the organs and structures in your upper abdomen. It is a completely safe, non-invasive diagnostic procedure that uses sound waves, not radiation, to help your doctor understand your health.

Types of Abdominal Ultrasound

While often referred to as a single test, your doctor may order a specific type of Abdominal Ultrasound based on your symptoms.

• Complete Abdominal Ultrasound: This is the most common type and provides a comprehensive evaluation of all the major organs in the upper abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys.
• Limited Ultrasound: Sometimes, the focus is on a single organ or area. For example, a doctor may order just a renal (kidney) ultrasound to investigate kidney pain or a gallbladder ultrasound to look specifically for gallstones.
• Doppler Ultrasound: This is a special ultrasound technique that can be performed during the main scan. A Doppler ultrasound allows the radiologist to visualize and evaluate blood flow through the major arteries and veins in your abdomen, checking for blockages or other abnormalities.

During the scan, a skilled radiologist or sonographer methodically examines several organs, assessing various parameters to check for signs of disease or abnormalities. This is a closer look at what an abdominal ultrasound shows:

• Liver: Evaluated for its size, shape, and surface texture (echotexture). The radiologist looks for signs of fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, cysts, abscesses, or tumours.
• Gallbladder: Checked for the presence of gallstones, sludge, polyps, or signs of inflammation and infection (cholecystitis). The thickness of the gallbladder wall is also measured.
• Kidneys: Both kidneys are assessed for their size, shape, and position. The scan is highly effective at detecting kidney stones, cysts, tumours, and blockages that cause swelling (hydronephrosis).
• Spleen & Pancreas: These organs are examined for size and texture. An enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) can indicate an underlying medical condition, while the pancreas is checked for signs of inflammation (pancreatitis) or masses.
• Aorta: The main artery carrying blood from the heart is measured to check for any bulges or weak spots, known as an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
• General Abdominal Cavity: The scan will also detect the presence of any free fluid (ascites) in the abdominal cavity, which can be a sign of liver disease or other serious conditions.

Your doctor has specific clinical reasons for recommending this test. The most common reasons include:

• To investigate the cause of chronic or acute pain in the abdomen or back.
• To definitively check for gallstones or kidney stones.
• To evaluate the liver and kidneys following abnormal blood test results.
• To diagnose or monitor the growth of tumours, cysts, or other masses found in the abdominal organs.
• To screen for an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), especially in older adults with risk factors.
• To help guide a needle for procedures like a biopsy or fluid aspiration.

When and Who Needs to Take an Abdominal Ultrasound?

A doctor may recommend an Abdominal Ultrasound for various reasons, making it one of the most common initial imaging tests for issues related to the abdomen. You might be asked to undergo this scan if you are experiencing symptoms such as:

• Persistent abdominal pain or discomfort
• Unexplained bloating or a feeling of fullness
• Abnormal results from liver or kidney function tests
• Persistent nausea and vomiting
• Back pain that could be related to the kidneys

Beyond investigating new symptoms, an Abdominal Ultrasound is also a valuable tool for monitoring known or chronic conditions, such as liver disease, gallstones, or cysts on the kidneys.

Benefits of Taking the Test

The Abdominal Ultrasound is a preferred imaging modality for many reasons:

• Non-invasive: No needles, injections, or incisions are required.
• Radiation-Free: It is completely safe and uses no ionizing radiation.
• Widely Available & Accessible: Ultrasound machines are common in hospitals and diagnostic centres like Cadabam's Diagnostics.
• Cost-Effective: It is generally less expensive than other advanced imaging tests like CT or MRI scans.
• Real-Time Imaging: It provides a live view of the organs, allowing the operator to observe movement and blood flow.

Illnesses Diagnosed with Abdominal Ultrasound

This single test can help diagnose a wide range of conditions, providing your doctor with crucial information for your treatment plan. Key illnesses diagnosed include:

• Gallstones and Cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation)
• Fatty Liver Disease, Cirrhosis, and Liver Tumours or Cysts
• Kidney Stones, Kidney Cysts, and Hydronephrosis (swelling of the kidney)
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen)
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
• Ascites (fluid in the abdomen)

Proper preparation is essential for a successful and accurate scan. The most important step involves fasting.

Abdominal Ultrasound Preparation Fasting

You will be required to fast for 6 to 8 hours before your appointment. This means no eating or drinking anything, except for small sips of water with any essential medications. The reason for fasting is twofold: it minimizes the amount of gas in your digestive tract that can obscure the organs, and it ensures that your gallbladder is full of bile and not contracted, making it much easier to see and evaluate for stones or inflammation.

Clothing

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows for easy access to your abdomen.

Medication

You should generally continue to take your prescribed medications. However, it's always best to confirm with your doctor or the staff at Cadabam's Diagnostics when you schedule your appointment.

Pre-requisites

• A formal referral or prescription from your doctor is typically required to undergo the test.
• If you have any previous imaging reports (such as a prior ultrasound, CT, or MRI of your abdomen), please bring them with you. This allows the radiologist to compare findings and track any changes.

Best Time to Take the Abdominal Ultrasound

Because of the fasting requirement, morning appointments are often preferred. This allows you to complete the fasting period overnight while you sleep, making it more convenient and comfortable.

Eligibility

The Abdominal Ultrasound is a safe and suitable test for virtually everyone, from infants to the elderly. As mentioned, the only factors that may limit the clarity of the scan are significant bowel gas or obesity.

Procedure for Taking an Abdominal Ultrasound

The upper abdomen sonography procedure is simple, straightforward, and painless. Here is what you can expect at your appointment at Cadabam's Diagnostics:

• Step 1: You will be guided to a comfortable examination room and asked to lie down on your back on an examination table. You may be asked to lift your shirt or change into a gown to expose your abdomen.
• Step 2: The sonographer will apply a layer of warm, water-based gel to the skin on your abdomen. The gel may feel a little cool and wet but is harmless.
• Step 3: The sonographer will then gently press the transducer against your skin and move it back and forth over the different areas of your abdomen to capture images of all the target organs.
• Step 4: During the scan, you may be asked to take a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds or to turn onto your side. These maneuvers help move organs into a better position for clear viewing.
• Duration: The entire procedure is usually completed within 20 to 30 minutes.

Caution Before Taking the Test

Please inform the sonographer or our staff if you have recently had a barium-based contrast study (like a barium swallow or enema). The residual barium can interfere with the ultrasound waves and affect the results.