Abdominal ultrasound imaging is performed to evaluate organs such as the kidneys, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, urinary bladder, prostate, uterus and ovaries. It can help to diagnose a number of conditions including abdominal pains,inflamed appendix, enlarged abdominal organ or aneurysm in the abdominal aorta or stones in thegallbladder or kidney.
For this type of scan, you will need to tell the radiologist if you have had a barium enema or a series of upper GI (gastrointestinal) tests within the past two days as barium remaining in the intestines can interfere with the ultrasound test.
For a study of the liver, gallbladder, spleen, and pancreas, you may be asked to eat a fat-free meal on the evening before the test and then to avoid eating for eight to 12 hours before the test.
For ultrasound of the kidneys, you may be asked to drink four to six glasses of liquid about an hour before the test to fill your bladder. You may be asked to avoid eating for eight to 12 hours before the test to avoid gas buildup in the intestines.
For ultrasound of the aorta, you may need to avoid eating for eight to 12 hours before the test.
You will lie on your back on an examination couch and the transducer moved back and forth across your abdomen to image the area of interest. You may be asked to turn on your side or sit up. You may also be asked to take a deep breath in and hold it for a short while in order to obtain the best possible images.