Full Abdominal Ultrasound
Radiation-free, painless assessment of abdominal organs including the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen and kidneys.
Where is the abdomen (batın)?
The abdomen is the term for the belly region of the body. Many important organs are located in the abdomen.
What is abdominal ultrasound?
Abdominal (belly) ultrasound is an examination in which the organs inside the abdomen are visualized with the help of sound waves. The liver, gallbladder and bile ducts, pancreas, spleen, kidneys and major vessels can be evaluated with this method. It can be performed as upper, lower or whole abdominal.
Why is abdominal ultrasound performed?
Abdominal ultrasound is performed to evaluate the organs in the abdominal region. It is an important tool for diagnosing and monitoring many health problems.
Is there radiation in abdominal ultrasound?
No, there is no radiation in abdominal ultrasound. Ultrasound is a method that visualizes organs using high-frequency sound waves, and there is no radiation exposure during the procedure.
Can abdominal ultrasound be performed at any age?
As abdominal ultrasound is a radiation-free and non-invasive method, it can be safely performed on patients of any age.
Is any preparation required for abdominal ultrasound?
For an upper abdominal examination, you are usually asked to fast for 6–8 hours; this allows the gallbladder to be seen more clearly. For kidney and bladder assessment, you may need to drink water before the procedure so that the bladder is full. Drinking water during fasting is not prohibited. Patients may take the medications they use regularly and on an empty stomach together with water. In addition, in a whole abdominal ultrasound, the bladder must be full so that the bladder located in the pelvic region (lower abdomen) and the pelvic reproductive organs (uterus and ovaries in women, prostate in men) can be seen well. Therefore, the patient is usually advised to drink water and fill the bladder 1–2 hours before the procedure.
How is abdominal ultrasound performed?
The patient is prepared so that the abdomen is fully exposed. The examination begins with the patient lying on their back on the examination table. To visualize some organs more clearly, the patient may be asked to turn to the right or left. In addition, during the examination the patient is asked to hold their breath briefly from time to time. Ultrasound gel is applied. A suitable ultrasound probe is moved over the abdomen to evaluate the organs one by one.
How many minutes does abdominal ultrasound take?
Abdominal ultrasound usually takes between 30 and 45 minutes.
Is abdominal ultrasound a painful examination?
This examination is generally not painful. Abdominal ultrasound is performed without any intervention to the body, by applying gel to the abdomen and moving the ultrasound probe placed on the skin over the abdomen.
Does abdominal ultrasound have any side effects or harm?
This examination has no side effects or harm. Ultrasound works using high-frequency sound waves and contains no radiation, so it is a safe imaging method.
Can I continue my daily life after having this examination?
Immediately after the examination, patients can continue with their work and daily activities.