In the article, we consider what ultrasound of the vessels of the abdominal cavity is.
Important advantages of ultrasound examination of the vessels of the abdominal region are the low cost and ease of performing the procedure with a good indicator of information content. The reliability of the results of any study is directly proportional to the professionalism of doctors and the quality of the equipment on which it is performed. Currently, almost all clinics provide the opportunity to conduct this study.
About the procedure
Ultrasound of the vessels of the abdominal cavity includes the study of such foci of the body as:
- The abdominal aortic sector.
- The iliac arteries.
- Celiac trunk.
- Common hepatic and splenic arteries.
- Superior mesenteric artery and inferior vena cava.
- Portal venous system.
The method for studying the vessels of the abdominal region is based on the properties of the reflection of the ultrasonic wave from red blood cells that are contained in the blood. The reflected wave is captured by a special sensor and, after conversion to an electrical impulse, it is displayed on the monitor in real time in the form of color photographs and graphs that represent blood flow through blood vessels.
What does an abdominal ultrasound show? Ultrasound examination of blood vessels allows you to examine them in real time from the inside, whether it be veins or arteries. This provides the opportunity to detect changes in blood flow in the vessels that are associated with spasms, constriction, or with thrombosis. Thanks to this study, it is possible to evaluate the diameter along with the lumen of the vessel, the presence of blood clots or atherosclerotic plaques in them.
It is also possible to measure blood flow parameters, detect valve venous insufficiency along with the effectiveness of collateral blood flow. When a thrombus occurs, its size can be precisely determined, and in addition, it can be monitored to see if there are any changes in the treatment process or not.
What is this research done for?
An ultrasound of the vessels of the abdominal cavity, as a rule, is directed by the doctor. A study of the state of blood vessels from the inside and the intensity of blood flow in them is required for a specialist to diagnose pathologies of internal organs:
- The liver is examined (such diseases of this organ as cirrhosis, hepatitis, tumors are determined).
- The study of the condition of the spleen.
- Examination of the gallbladder for the presence of congenital malformations, gallstone disease, cholecystitis, neoplasms, polyps and so on.
Study Details
The study of vessels of the abdominal region includes ultrasound of the abdominal aorta and arteries, portal venous system, iliac artery, celiac trunk, inferior vena cava, and so on. Each of these vessels by a specialist is evaluated by diameter and patency, and in addition, by the state of the valves, the width of the walls. In addition, the compliance of these indicators with the norm is determined.
Abdominal ultrasound capabilities
The advantages and opportunities that ultrasound of the vessels of the abdominal cavity provides are as follows:
- Assessment of the condition, direction and speed of blood flow in the arteries and veins of the abdominal region.
- Identification of early vascular changes (thrombosis, stenosis, i.e. narrowing of arteries).
- Diagnosis of aneurysms and diaphragm pathologies.
- Establishment of increased pressure in the portal vein area.
- Evaluation of the result of therapy and implantation.
- Definition of patient appointments for surgery.
- Identification of circulatory disorders in the abdominal organs.
In addition, such a vascular examination is prescribed if it is impossible to establish a change in the internal organs using standard diagnostics. Ultrasound examination of the vessels of the abdominal region is a very important diagnostic procedure for assessing the effectiveness of the roundabout (collateral) blood flow, which sometimes occurs during blockage of the main artery.
Preparation for ultrasound of the vessels of the abdominal cavity
To get a clear picture, it is necessary to completely exclude from your diet those foods that increase gas production (we are talking about raw vegetables and fruits, legumes, sauerkraut, black bread, pastries, dairy products and carbonated drinks). For diseases that require a strict diet or constant use of drugs (for diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease), these restrictions are removed.
The fact is that gases significantly impede visibility, which can negatively affect the examination result. Three days before the study, it is recommended to take defoamers and enterosorbents in the form of Espumisan and activated carbon.
What else does preparation for the study involve? Ultrasound of the vessels of the abdominal cavity is carried out on an empty stomach. The minimum interval between eating and research should be at least six hours. The best time is morning. Carrying out this study immediately after fibrogastroscopy or colonoscopy does not make any sense, since due to their specificity, air enters the abdominal region, which limits the display of the ultrasonic wave on the screen.
Features
Ultrasound examination of the vessels of the abdominal region is an absolutely harmless procedure, which is carried out without ionizing radiation. This study is painless and non-invasive, in time it takes no more than twenty minutes.
Any doctor’s appointment usually begins with a medical history. And this study is no exception. Given the information collected during the survey of the patient, as well as the clinical picture, the doctor draws conclusions about what is visible on the monitor during the study of blood vessels in this area of ​​the body.
To undergo research, the patient is required to free the upper body from clothing and any jewelry. The patient is laid on the couch. Further, the anterior abdominal wall is covered with a transparent gel, which provides the closest contact of the ultrasound probe with the patient’s skin. During the study, he should breathe freely. Sometimes, at the request of a doctor, the patient needs to inflate the front wall of his abdomen. In this case, displays appear on the monitor, the changes of which are carefully examined by the doctor. Do not be afraid of any unusual sounds that periodically appear during this study. Thus, the device measures blood flow in the veins and arteries.
results
Ultrasound results of the abdominal aorta (abdominal aorta) are recorded on thermal paper and given out to patients with a doctor’s decryption, however, the doctor who referred the patient for diagnosis still has the last word in establishing a diagnosis. Immediately after the study, the transparent gel is removed from the skin, and the patient can begin his usual activities.
Examination of the artery of the liver is carried out in the same position. In this case, the departments of the artery are examined along with the surrounding lymph nodes. Significant anatomical variations in its passage can also be observed. The study of the upper mesenteric artery and the celiac trunk is carried out on the back with the head of the couch raised at an angle of about thirty degrees.
Price of abdominal ultrasound
This study will cost the patient about one thousand rubles. Next, we learn that patients who have had a chance to undergo this procedure as part of the diagnosis tell about this study.
Reviews
Patients write about an ultrasound examination of the vessels of the abdominal region that it is completely painless and takes a little time. Some complain about the high cost of this procedure.
Nevertheless, despite the fact that the cost of this test is not satisfactory for everyone, people are still happy with the possibility of detecting violations using this study. For example, thanks to its implementation, it is possible to trace the blood supply to the organs of the abdominal region, diagnose the development of aneurysms, identify compression of the celiac trunk, portal hypertension, and in addition, evaluate the result of implantation of a cava filter.
In addition, the ultrasound examination considered, according to patients, is used in clinics not only for the diagnosis of vascular pathologies, but also for evaluating the effectiveness of the therapy and in order to determine the indications for surgery.