What should you know about soft tissue abdominal ultrasound?

The scan may assess the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, bladder, abdominal wall, and nearby soft tissues. It can help investigate gallstones, kidney stones, inflammation, fluid, a hernia, or a change in the size or appearance of an organ. Air in the bowel can limit the view, so an ultrasound does not answer every abdominal question.

During the examination, a sonographer moves gel and a handheld probe over the skin. You may feel pressure over a tender area, but the scan does not use radiation. Images are reviewed and a report is sent to the clinician who requested it.

Follow the appointment instructions because you may be asked not to eat for a period beforehand or to arrive with a comfortably full bladder. Wear clothing that allows access to the abdomen and tell the clinic if you are pregnant, have a wound, or find pressure painful.

The scan itself is usually brief, but the timing of the report depends on the service. Arrange a GP Consultation to discuss why the scan was requested and what the report means for your symptoms. An Abdominal Ultrasound page can explain the broader test process.

Seek urgent medical help for severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain, a rigid or very swollen abdomen, repeated vomiting, fainting, confusion, black or bloody stools, yellow skin with fever, or inability to pass urine. Do not wait for a planned scan when symptoms are intense or changing quickly.

Ask which organs the scan is assessing, whether you need to fast, when the report should be available, and what symptoms should prompt earlier review. You can also ask whether conditions such as Gallstones, Kidney Stones, Pancreatitis, or an Inguinal Hernia fit the reason for testing.