When the doctor gives a referral for examination, the first question will, of course: “How to prepare?” Does an abdominal ultrasound require special preparation or should you go to the procedure right away?
How is ultrasound examined?
By visual inspection of the internal organs located in the abdomen, and their displacement from the classical position, their condition can be determined. Appearance can also tell about the presence of cysts and seals.
Most often, on an ultrasound examination apparatus, they inspect:
- liver;
- gall bladder;
- kidneys
- pancreas;
- spleen;
- contours of the stomach and duodenum.
The image is obtained under the influence of ultrasonic waves and displayed on the screen.
How is ultrasound examined?
Patients have questions:
- How is the procedure done?
- Painful or not, how long does it take?
- How to prepare?
Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity began to be done relatively recently, and not everyone faced the study.
Inspection is carried out on a special apparatus by a radiologist. The patient will need to undress, lie on the couch and take the pose that the doctor will tell you. Classic position - lying on your back. But sometimes they may be asked to roll over on their side or abdomen to see the organ more accurately or to see its displacement in dynamics. Especially often they ask to roll over if they examine the kidneys.
A gel is applied to the skin during the procedure. Some patients may have an allergy to it, so the doctor should talk about their feelings, especially to those who came for the first time. The whole study takes no more than half an hour.
Then the doctor asks you to wait a bit and gives the result immediately to your hands, which is very convenient. You can immediately find out what hurts and why.
Usually the first question for those who have not experienced the procedure is about sensations. If you know how to do an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, how to prepare, then you understand that you do not need to be afraid of the examination. It is absolutely painless.
Preparation for the procedure
In the case when, 2-3 days before the study, I had to take an x-ray and drink a contrast agent, you need to warn the doctor about this. Even if the procedure is necessary, the examination period will have to be postponed. Barium, which is used as a contrast medium, distorts the overall picture and reduces visibility.
The doctor will definitely warn you how to prepare for the procedure. Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity will show a reliable result if intestinal motility is reduced as much as possible. This must be taken care of in advance. For 2-3 days, it is necessary to stop eating foods that cause fermentation: brown bread, legumes, etc.
One day before the procedure, a light dinner is eaten, and then refrain from eating for 10-12 hours.
The only difference in preparation is when examining the kidneys. But this is specially negotiated. Together with the kidneys, the bladder is often examined. You can evaluate it only when it is full.
What can an ultrasound tell?
It must be said right away: the intestines on the ultrasound machine are not inspected. An experienced doctor may suggest possible problems in the intestines, but no more. Also on the screen will not be visible ulcers, erosion, deverticuli.
Surveys are conducted in order to assess the size of organs, the presence of stones in the kidneys or bile ducts, to reveal free fluid in the abdominal cavity, the occurrence of tumors of various pathogenesis. To determine whether a malignant neoplasm or benign, ultrasound is not able.
During the biopsy procedure, its execution is monitored on the screen of the device.
If you know how to prepare, an abdominal ultrasound will show a reliable result. According to its results, the doctor will be able to prescribe adequate therapy.