Abdominal ultrasound
Is a type of imaging test. It is used to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, speen, pancreas, and kidneys. The blood vessels that lead to some of these organs, such as the inferior vena cava and aorta, can also be examined with ultrasound.
GVM International uses state-of-the-art x-ray equipment for better imaging, so examinations are of high-quality, informative, quick and painless.
Abdominal x-ray is performed to:
- Diagnose a pain in the abdomen or unexplained nausea
- Identify suspected problems in the urinary system, such as a kidney stone
- Identify blockage in the intestine
- Locate an object that has been swallowed
- Help diagnose diseases, such as tumors or other conditions
- Chronic nausea
- Ongoing vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Flank or back pain
- Abdominal swelling
Before having the x-ray, tell the provider the following:
- If you are pregnant or think you could be pregnant
- Have an IUD inserted
- Have had a barium contrast x-ray in the last 4 days
- If you have taken any medicines such as Pepto Bismol in the last 4 days (this type of medicine can interfere with the x-ray)
- You wear a hospital gown during the x-ray procedure. You must remove all jewelry.
How the procedure is performed
The test is done in a hospital radiology department. Or it may done in the health care provider's office by an x-ray technologist.
You lie on your back on the x-ray table. The x-ray machine is positioned over your abdominal area. You hold your breath as the picture is taken so that the picture will not be blurry. You may be asked to change position to the side or to stand up for additional pictures.
Men will have a lead shield placed over the testes to protect against the radiation.
Abnormalities diagnosed with abdominal x-ray:
- Abdominal masses
- Buildup of fluid in the abdomen
- Certain types of gallstones
- Foreign object in the intestines
- Hole in the stomach or intestines
- Injury to the abdominal tissue
- Intestinal blockage
- Kidney stones
- Pregnancy