Abdominal and retroperitoneal ultrasound
An abdominal ultrasound examines the internal organs, including the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and adrenal glands.
The procedure is safe, painless, and does not involve radiation, so it can be repeated whenever necessary.
Why have an abdominal ultrasound?
Many conditions affecting these organs develop gradually and may cause no symptoms for a long time. Gallstones, fatty liver disease, cysts, enlarged organs, and inflammation can all go unnoticed in their early stages. Ultrasound helps detect these changes before more serious symptoms appear.
The examination can also identify gallstones or biliary sludge, assess the liver and pancreas, detect cysts, nodules, and other growths, determine whether the spleen is enlarged, and examine the kidneys and adrenal glands.
When should you have an abdominal ultrasound?
An abdominal ultrasound may be recommended if you experience abdominal pain or discomfort, a bitter taste in your mouth, nausea, bloating, or digestive problems.
It may also be recommended if blood tests show abnormal results, particularly liver function tests, or after inflammatory conditions affecting the abdominal organs.
For people with chronic conditions such as gallstones, pancreatitis, or fatty liver disease, ultrasound can help monitor changes over time.
It can also be performed as a preventive examination once a year or every few years, particularly after age 35 or 40.
How to prepare
For two to three days before the examination, try to avoid foods and drinks that cause gas, including beans, fresh fruits and vegetables, dark bread, and carbonated beverages.
On the day of your appointment, arrive on an empty stomach and avoid eating or drinking for six hours beforehand. This helps ensure that the stomach and intestines do not interfere with the images, allowing the doctor to see the organs more clearly.
An ultrasound cannot answer every question, but it is often the first step toward understanding what is happening inside your abdomen. Your doctor will review the results with you and recommend any further steps if needed.
The procedure is safe, painless, and does not involve radiation, so it can be repeated whenever necessary.
Why have an abdominal ultrasound?
Many conditions affecting these organs develop gradually and may cause no symptoms for a long time. Gallstones, fatty liver disease, cysts, enlarged organs, and inflammation can all go unnoticed in their early stages. Ultrasound helps detect these changes before more serious symptoms appear.
The examination can also identify gallstones or biliary sludge, assess the liver and pancreas, detect cysts, nodules, and other growths, determine whether the spleen is enlarged, and examine the kidneys and adrenal glands.
When should you have an abdominal ultrasound?
An abdominal ultrasound may be recommended if you experience abdominal pain or discomfort, a bitter taste in your mouth, nausea, bloating, or digestive problems.
It may also be recommended if blood tests show abnormal results, particularly liver function tests, or after inflammatory conditions affecting the abdominal organs.
For people with chronic conditions such as gallstones, pancreatitis, or fatty liver disease, ultrasound can help monitor changes over time.
It can also be performed as a preventive examination once a year or every few years, particularly after age 35 or 40.
How to prepare
For two to three days before the examination, try to avoid foods and drinks that cause gas, including beans, fresh fruits and vegetables, dark bread, and carbonated beverages.
On the day of your appointment, arrive on an empty stomach and avoid eating or drinking for six hours beforehand. This helps ensure that the stomach and intestines do not interfere with the images, allowing the doctor to see the organs more clearly.
An ultrasound cannot answer every question, but it is often the first step toward understanding what is happening inside your abdomen. Your doctor will review the results with you and recommend any further steps if needed.
2026 © Elena Konovalova
Abdominal and retroperitoneal ultrasound
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