An abdominal ultrasound is a scan that usually causes little discomfort and uses sound waves to make pictures of organs and blood vessels inside your belly. Before the test you may need to avoid food or drinks for several hours, depending on what is being checked. During the scan, a trained professional puts gel on your skin and moves a probe across your abdomen. Most exams take about 30 minutes.
What is an abdominal ultrasound used to examine?
An abdominal ultrasound, sometimes called an abdominal sonogram, is a noninvasive imaging test. It uses high-frequency sound waves to create pictures of organs and other structures inside the abdomen. Unlike X-rays and CT scans, it does not use ionizing radiation.
According to Cleveland Clinic, an abdominal ultrasound may be used to examine the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, bladder, and major blood vessels in the abdomen. The exact structures examined depend on the type of scan ordered and the reason for the test.
A healthcare professional may recommend this scan to help investigate abdominal pain, check for gallstones or kidney stones, assess an enlarged organ, or look for changes in the appearance of abdominal organs. It may also be used to evaluate certain abnormal blood test results or monitor a previously identified problem.
How should you prepare for an abdominal ultrasound?
Preparation depends on which organs need to be examined. Some abdominal ultrasounds require fasting, while others may require you to drink water and keep your bladder full. Follow the instructions from your imaging center rather than assuming that every abdominal ultrasound has the same preparation requirements.
RadiologyInfo explains that ultrasound preparation can involve avoiding food and drinks for a specified period or drinking water before the appointment. Instructions also vary by age, so babies and young children may have different fasting requirements from adults.
Should you stop eating or drinking before the scan?
You may be asked to avoid eating for several hours before the appointment, particularly when the scan needs to examine the gallbladder or other upper abdominal structures. Food and the digestive process can affect the conditions needed to obtain clear images. However, fasting is not required for every examination.
Ask the imaging center exactly when to stop eating and whether you can drink water. If you take prescription medicines, have diabetes, or need food at regular intervals, explain this before the appointment. Ask whether you should take your usual medicines with a small amount of water. Do not change prescribed medicines or extend a fast beyond the instructions you receive.
What should you wear or bring?
Choose loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your abdomen. You may be asked to remove clothing from the area being examined and change into a gown. It is helpful to bring your test request, relevant medical records if requested, and a list of medicines you take. Leave jewelry at home when possible, especially items that may interfere with the examination.
What happens during an abdominal ultrasound?
The procedure is usually straightforward and does not involve needles or injections. A sonographer or another appropriately trained healthcare professional performs the scan. You can ask questions before it begins, especially if you have concerns about discomfort, positioning, or how long you will need to remain still.
MedlinePlus describes abdominal ultrasound as a procedure in which a person lies down while a clear, water-based gel is applied to the skin and a handheld device called a transducer is moved over the abdomen. The sound waves returning from the body are processed by a computer to create images.
Step 1: Getting into position
You will usually lie on your back on an examination table. Depending on the organs being examined, the sonographer may ask you to turn onto your side or adjust your position. Clothing may need to be moved away from the abdomen, and you may receive a gown if required by the facility.
Step 2: Applying the ultrasound gel
The sonographer spreads a small amount of clear gel over the skin. The gel helps sound waves travel between the probe and your body, allowing the machine to produce clearer images. It may feel cool or wet, but it should not damage your skin. The gel can be wiped away when the examination is complete.
Step 3: Moving the probe across your abdomen
The sonographer gently presses the transducer against your skin and moves it across different areas of your abdomen. Images appear on a monitor and may be saved for later review. You might notice some pressure, particularly when the probe passes over an area that is already tender.
Step 4: Following breathing and movement instructions
You may be asked to take a deep breath, hold your breath briefly, or remain still for a few moments. These instructions help the sonographer obtain the views needed for the examination. Try to follow the directions as comfortably as possible, and tell the sonographer if you need a break or are experiencing pain.
Does an abdominal ultrasound hurt?
Most people tolerate an abdominal ultrasound well. You may feel cool gel against your skin and gentle pressure as the probe moves across your abdomen. If an area is tender, the pressure may cause temporary discomfort. You should tell the sonographer if this happens so that the examination can be adjusted when possible.
According to RadiologyInfo's abdominal ultrasound guidance, the examination is noninvasive and generally should not be painful, although it may occasionally be temporarily uncomfortable. The scan does not require recovery time from anesthesia because a routine abdominal ultrasound does not use anesthesia.
How long does the scan take?
A routine abdominal ultrasound often takes about 30 minutes. The exact duration depends on the number of organs being examined, how easily the necessary images can be obtained, and whether additional views are needed. A more extensive examination may take longer.
Allow extra time for check-in, preparation, changing clothes, and any instructions given before or after the procedure. If you have another appointment immediately afterward, ask the imaging center how much time you should allow for your particular examination.
Is an abdominal ultrasound safe?
Standard diagnostic abdominal ultrasound does not use ionizing radiation. It is widely used because it can produce real-time images of internal organs without surgery or injections. The examination is generally considered safe when performed by appropriately trained professionals using diagnostic equipment.
Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that ultrasound uses sound waves rather than radiation and that the procedure generally causes little discomfort. Tell your healthcare team about any concerns before the examination, including difficulty lying in the required position or tenderness in the area being scanned.
Can an abdominal ultrasound miss something?
An ultrasound can provide useful information, but it does not show every structure equally well. Air and gas can interfere with sound waves, making parts of the bowel and nearby structures difficult to see. The quality of the images can also be affected by the depth of the structures being examined and other technical factors.
Because of these limitations, an ultrasound may not fully explain a person's symptoms or answer every clinical question. If the images are incomplete or the findings need further investigation, the healthcare professional may recommend another ultrasound, a different imaging test, blood tests, or another type of assessment. The appropriate next step depends on the reason for the scan and the information already available.
What happens after the ultrasound?
Once the images have been collected, the sonographer usually wipes the gel from your abdomen. You can generally get dressed and return to your normal activities immediately unless your healthcare team gives you different instructions. A routine abdominal ultrasound does not usually require special aftercare.
A radiologist, a doctor trained to interpret medical images, generally reviews the pictures and prepares a report for the healthcare professional who ordered the scan. The report describes the structures examined and any findings that need attention. The time it takes to receive results varies by facility, so ask when and how you will receive them.
What if the report mentions an unexpected finding?
An unexpected finding does not automatically mean that you have a serious illness. Some findings need no additional testing, while others may require closer assessment or monitoring. Your healthcare professional will interpret the report alongside your symptoms, medical history, examination findings, and any relevant blood tests or previous scans.
If the report contains unfamiliar terms, ask the clinician who ordered the test to explain what they mean and whether any follow-up is needed. If the ultrasound does not identify a cause for symptoms that persist or worsen, arrange follow-up with your healthcare professional rather than assuming that the scan rules out every possible cause.
How can you make your appointment easier?
A few practical steps can help you feel more prepared:
- Confirm the exact preparation instructions before the day of the scan.
- Ask about food, drinks, water, and regular medicines if anything is unclear.
- Wear comfortable clothing that is easy to adjust.
- Tell the sonographer if you have pain, tenderness, or difficulty holding a position.
- Ask when the report will be available and which healthcare professional will discuss the results with you.
Knowing what to expect can make an abdominal ultrasound less unfamiliar. For most people, it is a brief, noninvasive examination involving gel and a handheld probe. Following the preparation instructions and discussing any concerns with your healthcare team can help the appointment proceed smoothly.