In the article, we will consider what an 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 polyclinics 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:
- Abdominal aorta.
- Iliac arteries.
- Celiac trunk.
- Common hepatic and splenic arteries.
- Superior mesenteric artery and inferior vena cavaVienna.
- Portal venous system.
The method of studying the vessels of the abdominal region is based on the properties of reflection of an ultrasonic wave from erythrocytes contained in the blood. The reflected wave is captured by a special sensor and, after being converted into an electrical impulse, it is displayed on the monitor in real time in the form of color photographs and graphs that represent the blood flow through the blood vessels.
What does abdominal ultrasound show? Ultrasound examination of vessels allows you to examine them in real time from the inside, whether it be veins or arteries. This makes it possible to detect changes in blood flow in the vessels that are associated with spasms, narrowing or 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 valvular venous insufficiency along with the efficiency of collateral blood flow. When a blood clot occurs, you can accurately determine its size, and in addition, track whether any changes occur in it during the treatment process or not.
Why is this study being done?
On ultrasound of the vessels of the abdominal cavity, as a rule, the doctor directs. A study of the state of the vessels from the inside and the intensity of blood flow in them is required by a specialist to diagnose pathologies of internal organs:
- The liver is being examined (diseases of this organ are determined, such ascirrhosis, hepatitis, tumors).
- Study of the state of the spleen.
- Examination of the gallbladder for congenital anomalies, gallstone disease, cholecystitis, neoplasms, polyps, and so on.
Read more about the study
Examination of abdominal vessels 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 is evaluated by a specialist in terms of diameter and patency, and in addition, according to the condition of the valves, the width of the walls. In addition, the compliance of these indicators with the norm is determined.
Features of abdominal ultrasound
The advantages and possibilities that abdominal ultrasound provides are as follows:
- Assessment of the state, direction and speed of blood flow in the arteries and veins of the abdominal region.
- Detection of early vascular changes (thrombosis, stenosis, that is, narrowing of the arteries).
- Diagnosis of aneurysms and pathologies of the diaphragm.
- Establishing an increase in pressure in the area of the portal vein.
- Evaluation of the result of therapy and implantation.
- Determining patient appointments for surgery.
- Detection of circulatory disorders in the abdominal organs.
In addition, such a study of blood vessels is prescribed if it is impossible to establish a change in internal organs using standard diagnostics. ultrasonicexamination of the vessels of the abdominal region is a very important diagnostic procedure for evaluating the effectiveness of the roundabout (collateral) blood flow, which sometimes occurs during blockage of the main artery.
Preparation for ultrasound of abdominal vessels
To get a clear picture, you must completely exclude from your diet those foods that increase gas formation (we are talking about raw vegetables and fruits, legumes, sauerkraut, brown bread, pastries, dairy products and carbonated drinks). In diseases that require a strict diet or constant use of drugs (diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease), these restrictions are removed.
The fact is that gases significantly impede visibility, which can adversely affect the result of the survey. Three days before the study, it is recommended to take defoamers and enterosorbents in the form of Espumizan and activated charcoal.
What else does the preparation for the study involve? Ultrasound of the vessels of the abdominal cavity is performed on an empty stomach. The minimum interval between eating and examination should be at least six hours. The best time is morning. Conducting this study immediately after fibrogastroscopy or colonoscopy does not make any sense, because due to their specificity, air enters the abdominal region, which limits the display of the ultrasound wave on the screen.
Features
Ultrasonicthe study 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 and takes no more than twenty minutes.
Any doctor's appointment, as a rule, begins with an anamnesis. And this study is no exception. Taking into account the information collected during the interview of the patient, as well as the clinical picture, the doctor draws conclusions about what is visible on the monitor when examining the vessels of a given area of the body.
To undergo the study, the patient is required to release the upper body from clothing and any jewelry. The patient is placed on the couch. Next, the anterior abdominal wall is covered with a transparent gel, which ensures the closest contact of the ultrasonic sensor with the patient's skin. During the examination, he must breathe freely. Sometimes, at the request of the doctor, the patient is required to inflate the front wall of his abdomen. At the same time, displays appear on the monitor, the changes of which are carefully examined by the doctor. Do not be afraid of certain unusual sounds that periodically appear during this study. Thus, the device measures blood flow in the veins and arteries.
Results
The results of ultrasound of the abdominal aorta (abdominal aorta) are recorded on thermal paper and handed out to patients with a doctor's explanation, however, the last word in establishing the diagnosis still remains with the doctor who sent the patient todiagnostics. Immediately after the examination, the transparent gel is removed from the skin, and the patient can proceed with their usual activities.
Examination of the liver artery is carried out in the same position. In this case, sections of the artery are examined along with the lymph nodes surrounding it. There may also be significant anatomical variations in its discharge. The study of the superior mesenteric artery and the coeliac trunk is carried out on the back with the head end 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 will find out what patients who happened to undergo this procedure as part of the diagnostics tell about this study.
Reviews
About the ultrasound examination of the abdominal vessels, patients write that it is absolutely painless and takes a little time. Some complain about the high cost of this procedure.
However, despite the fact that the cost of this test does not suit everyone, people are still happy with the ability to detect violations using this study. For example, thanks to its implementation, it is possible to monitor 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 cava filter implantation.
In addition, the ultrasound examination in question, according toreported by patients, in polyclinics it is used not only for diagnosing vascular pathologies, but also for assessing the effectiveness of therapy and in order to determine indications for surgery.
