What Can an Abdominal Ultrasound Tell

An abdominal ultrasound, also known as ultrasound scanning or sonography, is the medical procedure of exposing parts of the body to high frequency sound waves that produce images of the internal organs of the body. Unlike X – rays, ultrasound exams do not make use of ionizing radiation. In certain situations, a specialized ultrasound may be ordered for a detailed evaluation of a specific internal organ. Some of the most common examples include:

• An ultrasound of the abdominal aorta, which is a large blood vessel that passes down the back of the chest and abdomen and is the main supplier of blood to the lower part of the body and the legs.

• An ultrasound of the gallbladder, which is a sac – like organ that is located beneath the liver. This organ is primarily concerned with the storage of bile, which is a substance that is used in the digestion of food and absorption of fat soluble vitamins.

• An ultrasound of the pancreas, which is the gland tat produces enzymes that help digest food and is located in the upper part of the abdomen. The pancreas is also required to release insulin into the bloodstream thereby helping the body utilize its energy.

• An ultrasound of the kidneys is probably one of the more common uses of the procedure and the organs are concerned with the removal of waste from the blood to produce urine.

Ultrasounds are used to detect the root causes of a number of scenarios including identifying the cause of abdominal pain, measuring or monitoring an aneurism in the aorta as well as checking the shape and size of the liver. Some accident patients are also required to undergo an abdominal ultrasound test in order to identify if any damage has been sustained by the internal organs during the period of impact.

Preparations for an abdominal ultrasound will depend largely on the reason as well as the organ that is under inspection. You will be required to remove all clothing and jewelry just before the procedure and asked to wear a hospital gown. It is important that you inform your doctor is you have had a barium enema or a series of upper gastrointestinal tests performed within the last couple of days as any remnants of barium that remain in the intestine are likely to interfere with the ultrasound test. For an ultrasound of the aorta, your doctor may ask you to avoid eating any food for about 8 to 12 hours prior to the test.