There are situations when a doctor prescribes an abdominal ultrasound to make a diagnosis. Many patients have not even heard such a definition. Therefore, a natural question arises: what does abdominal ultrasound mean? This is a research method with which the doctor receives accurate information about the organs of the retroperitoneal space, abdominal cavity, excretory system and kidneys.
If a woman is examined, the gynecological organs are also evaluated, and in men, the prostate gland. Such a diagnosis requires some preparation, when it is performed, no unpleasant sensations arise, and the result can be found immediately after the procedure. So what does an abdominal ultrasound show and how is it performed? Let's try to figure it out.
The essence of the abdominal examination
Ultrasound of the abdominal region allows you to diagnose pathologies of the abdominal cavity and pelvic organs using ultrasound. These waves begin to propagate at different speeds in media of different densities. At this time, a picture appears on the monitor of the device, which displays dense areas with echogenic light-colored inclusions.
Abdominal ultrasound allows you to determine the boundaries of the organ and its echogenicity reveals pathology. Moreover, such a diagnosis is indispensable in many cases, as it allows you to very accurately show the state of the organs in the abdominal cavity, as a result of which the correct diagnosis is made.
What can an abdominal exam reveal?
If an abdominal ultrasound is prescribed, which organs are examined and what pathological processes are determined in them?
- liver - detect hepatitis, cyst, cirrhosis, abscesses, tumors, as well as fatty degeneration of this organ;
- gall bladder - determine the size of stones and their number inside the bladder or in its bile ducts, and also reveal the abnormal development of the organ itself, recognize cholecystitis and empyema;
- pancreas - determine the presence and size of stones inside the ducts, abscesses, inflammation, various types of tumors, necrosis and developmental anomalies;
- abdominal aorta - recognize aneurysms, abnormal branches or branches;
- spleen - reveal injuries, hemorrhages, as well as changes in its size.
If the patient is properly prepared, then you can see not only the stomach, but also the initial part of the duodenum 12.
Which symptoms require an abdominal examination?
The doctor refers the patient to an abdominal ultrasound in the following cases:
- when the patient complains of acute and frequent pain in the right side, in the region of the ribs, which occur paroxysmal;
- if the pain is shingles;
- when the patient complains of a bitter taste in the mouth;
- if your stomach hurts for a long time;
- for prostate problems;
- if the patient has a feeling of heaviness and discomfort in his right side;
- for problems with the female genital organs.
Preparing for an abdominal exam
If the patient has previously undergone irrigoscopy or gastrography, then the patient must notify the doctor about this, since barium is used in these cases. This is very important, as particles of this substance may still be in the intestine, leading to a distortion of the result and complicating the examination process.
It is also quite important to follow a diet and use medications in preparation for the study. These methods are aimed at reducing and eliminating gases in the intestines that can close other organs.
Proper preparation for a study includes following these guidelines:
- Three days before the procedure, you must go on a diet, completely eliminating from the diet foods that increase the formation of gases in the body. These include: beans, dairy products, peas, soda, cabbage, bread, sweets, freshvegetables and fruits.
- During the same three days it is necessary to take medicines that eliminate gases from the intestines. These drugs include activated charcoal or Espumizan capsules. On the day of the study, take a double amount of the drug without drinking water.
- The evening before the procedure, you can take a mild laxative or give an enema with a little cool water.
- Abdominal ultrasound is performed only on an empty stomach. No food should be taken 8 hours before the examination, even in minimal quantities. Drinking water is also prohibited 6 hours before the procedure, as it also distorts the results. Small snacks are allowed for diabetics.
- If the gallbladder will be examined, it is advisable not to smoke before the procedure. Nicotine can cause reflex spasms of the organ and distort diagnostic data.
- Examination of the small pelvis (uterus, prostate, bladder) is performed with a full bladder. Drink 400 ml of liquid 40 minutes before the procedure.
In case of sharp unbearable pain, the examination should be started immediately, without prior preparation.
How is an abdominal ultrasound done?
After entering the office, the patient undresses to the waist, and then lies down on the couch. The doctor applies a special colorless and odorless gel to the abdomen. This is mandatory, as there will be no air gap when moving the sensor.
Carrying out the study of internal organs, depending onviewing angle, the doctor may ask the patient to tighten the press, hold their breath, inhale as deeply as possible, or, conversely, exhale completely. The procedure lasts 20 minutes, and the result can be found immediately.
Features of abdominal ultrasound of female organs
If an emergency diagnosis is being made, the patient should report the date of the last menstrual period, but to obtain more complete information, it may be necessary to conduct a diagnosis in the following days.
In inflammatory processes in the uterine appendages (adnexitis, salpingo-oophoritis), the study can be carried out any day. If an expansion of the fallopian tubes is detected, the diagnosis is repeated immediately after menstruation.
To detect endometriosis, ultrasound is prescribed in the second half of the menstrual cycle. If endometrial hyperplasia is diagnosed, the study is repeated immediately after the end of menstruation.
If there is a suspicion of uterine fibroids, ultrasound is performed in the first phase of the cycle.
Research after an abortion is carried out immediately after the end of the next menstruation. If there is pain or bleeding, the diagnosis is carried out on any day.
Conclusion
Thus, abdominal ultrasound is a broad-spectrum study. With the help of such diagnostics, it becomes possible to examine almost all organs of the small pelvis and abdominal cavity. This type of examination is indispensable during pregnancy, as well as in the case when it is impossible to conduct an intracavitary ultrasound.
