This is the basic test in the diagnosis of acute and chronic abdominal diseases. The test is completely painless and generally no special preparation is required on the part of the patient (it can be performed in emergencies, e.g. when a patient comes to the doctor with acute abdominal pain). Because the doctor is in direct contact with the person being examined throughout, they can quickly assess the findings and make a diagnosis while the scan is being performed. Abdominal ultrasound is used primarily to examine the solid (parenchymal) organs of the abdomen, which include:
- pancreas
- liver
- gallbladder and bile ducts
- spleen
- kidneys
- adrenal glands
- prostate gland
- urinary bladder
Main indications for abdominal ultrasound:
- generalised abdominal pain
- abnormalities felt on palpation of the abdomen
- jaundice
- abnormal laboratory test results, e.g. liver or pancreatic tests
- fever of unknown cause (searching for the source of infection)
- suspected metastases from cancer
- abdominal injury
PREPARATION FOR THE ULTRASOUND SCAN, unless your doctor has advised otherwise, should be as follows:
On the day before the test the patient should:
- avoid heavy, hard-to-digest or gas-producing (bloating) foods and fizzy drinks
- eat the last meal by 20:00
On the day of the test:
- come for the test fasting, or at least 5 hours without eating or drinking
- do not smoke cigarettes or drink coffee
- patients booked for 14:00 may eat a light breakfast no later than 8:00
For an examination of the urinary bladder, prostate gland or reproductive organs you should:
- drink about 0.5 litre of still (non-carbonated) fluid 1–2 hours before the test
- arrive with a full bladder