Abdominal Ultrasound

Abdominal ultrasound is used to study specific organs and vessels within the abdomen to detect any possible abnormalities. Patients may have this exam done due to symptoms they may be experiencing, abnormal blood work, or to follow up on surgeries.

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the body’s tissues, structures, and blood flow. A transducer/probe and ultrasound gel work together to transmit and receive sound waves to produce images on the monitor.

During the test, the patient may be asked to perform breathing instructions and move into different positions (on their side, upright, on their belly, etc). Warm, water-based gel will be applied to the ultrasound transducer or directly on the skin. The sonographer will then move the transducer around to obtain clear images of the underlying structures for the physician to interpret.

The procedure typically lasts for 30 minutes, but the duration varies depending on the structures being examined.

You may be instructed to fast for 6-8 hours prior to exam.

The benefits of Abdominal Ultrasound:

• Ultrasound images can be shown in real-time
• No ionizing radiation is used for this procedure

Risks you should be aware of:

• There are no known risks for ultrasound