Abdominal Ultrasound

What is an Abdominal Ultrasound?

An abdominal ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the organs in your abdomen. It is commonly used to examine the:

• Liver
• Gallbladder
• Kidneys

It can help diagnose a variety of conditions, such as abdominal pain, bloating and digestive symptoms.

The scan is safe, painless, and does not use any radiation.

• Please do not eat for 6 hours before your appointment.
• You may drink clear fluids such as water, black tea, or black coffee.
• Please avoid fizzy drinks.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing so we can easily access your abdomen.
• Take any prescribed medications as usual, unless advised otherwise by your doctor.
• If you are diabetic, please contact the ultrasound team. Your appointment may need to be adjusted.
• You may wish to bring a snack to eat after your scan.

Children

• Children are not allowed in the scan room.
• If you’re unable to arrange childcare, please bring a responsible adult to supervise them in the waiting area.

Arrival

• Please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled time and check in at reception.
• If you are more than 10 minutes late, we may not be able to see you, and you may need to rebook.

Procedure

• You will lie on a couch while the scan takes place.
• A small amount of ultrasound gel will be applied to your abdomen.
• The sonographer will move a handheld device (called a transducer) over your skin to capture images.

Duration

• The scan usually takes 10–15 minutes.

Post-Procedure

• You can resume normal activities immediately.

Results

• Your scan images will be reviewed and the results sent to your referring doctor.
• Please do not ask the sonographer for your results. They are not able to provide them.
• Contact your GP surgery in one week to discuss your scan results.

Ultrasound is a very safe procedure:

• It does not use ionising radiation
• There are no known side effects