As you know, a disease is easier to prevent than to cure. But sometimes an illness overcomes a person, and then the only way out is to see a doctor as soon as possible. The key to a successful recovery is a properly prescribed treatment, which, in turn, depends on the correct diagnosis. Science does not stand still, and more and more modern equipment for examination and treatment comes to the aid of doctors. One of the most common such devices is an ultrasound apparatus . Today we will talk about this research method, learn more about abdominal ultrasound, what is included in the study, how it is carried out and how to prepare for it.
Historical reference
Interestingly, for the first time,
ultrasound was not used for medical purposes: with the help of the apparatus, the military searched for the wreck of the Titanic ship. In the 30s of the last century in America, doctors used a new device to detect a tumor in the patient’s brain. Due to the fact that ultrasound is not able to penetrate the bone structure, they did not succeed, however, this case gave impetus to the introduction of an ultrasound apparatus in medicine.
Since the 60s, almost all hospitals and hospitals have been able to boast of having a “super-modern” device for conducting research. Now it has become much easier for doctors to examine patients and make diagnoses. Since the 90s, the equipment has changed significantly: modern scanners have appeared that allow you to consider the smallest details of the image.
What I see?!
One common study is abdominal ultrasound. What is included in this procedure? Why do doctors prescribe this study so often? With the advent in medicine of this method of examining internal organs, the probability of making an accurate diagnosis has increased dramatically. Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity helps to establish the exact size of the internal organs, their location and structure, consider inflammatory foci or see neoplasms. The study of the abdominal cavity includes the diagnosis of the liver, gall bladder, pancreas, spleen. The method allows you to detect congenital malformations of internal organs or identify polyps, stones in the kidneys and gall bladder and other organs. Before conducting the study, it will be useful for the patient to learn about ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, what it shows and how the procedure is performed.
Ultrasound of the liver
The liver is the most important organ that performs a detoxification, that is, a “cleansing” function: it removes toxins and toxins from the body, neutralizes harmful substances that enter the bloodstream. This is the only organ that can "grow": for some diseases, doctors are forced to "cut off a piece" of tissue, and the liver eventually takes its original size.
When examining the liver with ultrasound, you can detect such disorders as:
- Enlarged liver in volume.
- Fatty cysts.
- Vascular enlargement of the liver.
- An increase in the portal vein.
- The presence of neoplasms in the liver and blood vessels.
- Cysts
- Abscesses.
- Focal changes.
If after the examination revealed abnormalities in the liver, it is necessary to clarify the diagnosis using additional tests or other procedures. This may be computed tomography, biopsy, angiography, laparoscopy.
The doctor prescribes an ultrasound of the liver when the laboratory data do not show organ damage, but it is more likely to be affected. If it is necessary to clarify the pathological lesion detected by other methods, to assess the localization of liver metastases and their number, with liver injuries, the doctor prescribes the procedure. Ultrasound monitors the condition of hepatitis and other chronic diseases.
Ultrasound of the gallbladder
Indications for ultrasound of the gallbladder are:
- suspected gallbladder or biliary tract disease ;
- changes in these organs identified earlier;
- assessment of secretory function;
- the presence of abdominal pain;
- the presence of stones.
Ultrasound of the gallbladder can reveal acute and chronic cholecystitis, cholesterosis, stones in the gallbladder and bile ducts, and cancer.
Ultrasound of the pancreas
Ultrasound of the pancreas helps to see the organ in different projections and assess its condition, identify acute and chronic pancreatitis, cancer, the presence of fatty infiltration. The doctor recommends an examination of the pancreas with:
- pains in the upper abdomen, in the hypochondrium and the left side, which are regularly repeated;
- changes in organ function that were detected by biochemical analysis;
- jaundice
- stool disorders;
- sudden and unjustified weight loss.
Ultrasound of the spleen
The spleen works in the human body, "tirelessly": it regulates the function of hematopoiesis, provides continuous production of antibodies and lymphocytes that fight diseases. Ultrasound of the spleen is able to detect cysts, heart attacks, abscesses, torsion of the legs of the organ, developmental abnormalities, enlargement, tumor formation. The doctor prescribes a study in cases where there is a suspicion of:
- malformations of the body;
- injuries
- some diseases of an infectious nature;
- chronic liver disease;
- tumor-like tumors of the abdominal organs;
- leukemia.
The simplest study that allows you to diagnose the digestive tract is an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. What is included in it except an examination of the above organs? During the examination, the doctor receives information about all departments of the abdomen and retroperitoneal space.
Preparation of adults for examination
The most common diagnostic method is abdominal ultrasound. What is included in the preparation for the survey? For a reliable result, it is important to properly prepare for ultrasound examination. Since gases and feces cause “hindrances” during examination, you must adhere to a strict diet before the procedure. 3 days before the ultrasound, bean, butter bread, flour sweets, fresh fruits and vegetables, fatty, fried foods should be excluded. The best food these days is oatmeal, barley or flax porridge, low-fat fish and meat. On the day before the ultrasound, the last meal should be no later than 19.00.
For those who suffer from increased gas formation, doctors advise older people to take drugs that improve digestion: preparations "Festal", "Mezim". Patients suffering from constipation should undergo a mild laxative or a cleansing enema before an ultrasound scan. Any drug should be taken only as directed by the attending physician.
You can not chew chewing gum, smoke, drink carbonated drinks, strong tea and coffee before the procedure, as this contributes to poor visualization during examination.
Preparing children for ultrasound
Children under the age of one year should skip one feeding before the study. Older children may tolerate and not eat 4 hours before the procedure. Before abdominal ultrasound, a child older than 3 years should be excluded from eating for 7 hours. If there are results of a previous study, then they need to be shown to the doctor.
To get a complete picture of the state of health, often the doctor prescribes an ultrasound scan of the child: the abdominal cavity, retroperitoneal space and all parts of the abdomen.
Survey progress
On average, the duration of the study is 20-30 minutes, during which the doctor fully assesses the condition of the abdominal organs. The patient lies on his back, exposing the abdomen. The doctor applies a gel to the studied part of the body, which increases the conductivity of ultrasonic radiation and improves the visibility of the device. With a special sensor, the doctor examines the abdominal organs, leading along the surface of the abdomen. During the study, the patient is not disturbed by any sensations. After the procedure, the sticky gel is easily washed off with water.
Indications for the procedure
When and for what symptoms do doctors recommend an abdominal ultrasound? There are some signs in the presence of which the doctor can refer the patient to the procedure:
- bitterness in the mouth, especially if it is repeated day after day;
- the appearance after eating spicy or fatty foods of paroxysmal pain in the right hypochondrium, as well as with the occurrence of dull pain that is not related to food;
- flatulence, increased flatulence;
- any pain in the abdomen;
- non-stop skin itching for a long time or non-healing skin rashes.
There are also reasons why the doctor may prescribe this procedure: an allergic reaction, increased thirst, yellowing of the sclera of the eyes, and others.
Ultrasound is required for patients who have had hepatitis, patients with pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, people who have injured abdominal cavity, or those who undergo a routine examination. The examination is prescribed when it is necessary to clarify or identify any deviation in the abdominal cavity. It is important to know that the norm of ultrasound of the abdominal cavity is a relative concept, and in rare cases there are people with structural features and the development of internal organs.
Contraindications for examination
The research method has practically no contraindications, which makes it accessible and completely safe. Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and kidneys will allow you to quickly determine the presence of a pathological area and organ and start treatment in a timely manner.
Advantages of ultrasound
The examination method is non-invasive, that is, during the examination, the integrity of the skin is not violated, which completely eliminates the risk of infection. Modern equipment allows the patient to be examined directly in the ambulance, which significantly speeds up the diagnosis and affects the favorable outcome of the disease. It is proved that the patient receives a minimum dose of radiation, which does not affect his condition: if necessary, it is safe to conduct repeated ultrasounds. It is possible to conduct a study in a patient in serious and critical condition. Another advantage of abdominal ultrasound is the price, which is small in comparison, for example, with magnetic resonance imaging.
The only feature of the method: decoding ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and other organs and systems should be carried out by a qualified doctor.
Where to do
Ultrasound can be performed in all clinics, hospitals, maternity hospitals. Some ambulances are equipped with portable ultrasound machines, which in “traveling” conditions can carry out not only the study of a specific organ, but also conduct an examination of the fetus.
Private clinics, medical centers also have in their arsenal an apparatus for ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. The price of an examination in a non-governmental institution is higher than for a similar procedure in a state clinic. The result depends entirely on the competence of the doctor: the more experienced he is, the better he conducts the diagnosis.
Now you know everything about abdominal ultrasound: what the examination shows, how to prepare for it, how the study is conducted. Remember that the method is completely safe, which means that you do not need to be afraid of it. Be healthy!