A painless, radiation-free imaging method in which abdominal organs (liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys) are evaluated with sound waves.
Indication
- Evaluation of complaints such as abdominal pain, indigestion, right upper quadrant fullness
- Suspicion of stones, sludge or inflammation (cholecystitis) in the gallbladder
- Detection and follow-up of fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis or liver masses
- Kidney stones, hydronephrosis (dilation of the urinary tract), kidney masses
- Evaluation of pancreas and spleen size and structural changes such as masses or cysts
- Assessment of intra-abdominal fluid (ascites) and lymph nodes in the abdomen
- Screening of abdominal aortic aneurysm and evaluation of large vessels
Preparation
- Fasting (no food or drink) for 6-8 hours before the examination is required; non-fasting examinations reduce image quality
- Routine medications can be taken with a sip of water; patients on insulin/diabetes medications should plan with their physician
- Comfortable clothing that allows the abdomen to be exposed during the scan should be preferred
- To reduce intestinal gas, avoiding smoking and chewing gum before the examination is recommended
- Bringing previous ultrasound, CT or MRI reports facilitates comparison
How it's performed
- The patient lies on their back on the examination table; right or left lateral position may be requested when needed
- A gel is applied to the abdomen to facilitate sound transmission
- The probe is moved over the abdomen in different directions according to the organs; real-time images appear on the screen
- In some sections, taking a deep breath and holding it may be requested; this provides better imaging of organs
- If Doppler evaluation is performed, blood flow in liver and kidney vessels is examined
- The procedure is generally completed within 15-25 minutes and the gel is wiped off
Post-procedure
- There are no special restrictions after the procedure; eating, drinking and normal activities can resume immediately
- Results are usually ready the same day or within 1-2 business days
- Depending on findings, blood tests, advanced imaging or endoscopy may be planned
- Lesions under follow-up such as gallstones or kidney cysts may be checked at certain intervals
- In case of new or worsening complaints, presentation without waiting for an appointment is recommended
Risks
- Abdominal ultrasonography does not contain ionizing radiation and has no known significant side effects
- It can also be safely performed during pregnancy
- Intestinal gas, obesity or recently consumed food may limit image quality
- Image resolution may decrease in very deep structures and obese patients
- Interpretation of findings may depend on device quality and operator experience
FAQ
Is fasting mandatory?
Yes, fasting (no food or drink) for at least 6-8 hours is recommended. After eating, the gallbladder contracts and intestinal gas increases; this complicates evaluation of the liver, gallbladder and pancreas.
Can abdominal ultrasound detect cancer?
Abdominal ultrasound can detect structural changes such as masses and cysts in many organs; however, definitive diagnosis usually requires further investigations such as blood tests, CT/MRI and biopsy when necessary.
Is abdominal ultrasound performed during pregnancy?
Yes. Because ultrasonography does not involve radiation, it is safely performed during pregnancy; it is the preferred method for evaluating both the mother's abdominal organs and the baby.
I have a lot of intestinal gas, can the image still be obtained?
Excessive intestinal gas may complicate evaluation of some areas. Following recommendations such as not smoking, not chewing gum and adequate fasting improves image quality; further examination is planned if needed.
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