Abdominal ultrasonography

Abdominal Ultrasonography

A modern medical ultrasound scanner

Abdominal ultrasonography is a medical imaging technique used to visualize the organs and structures in the abdomen. It employs ultrasound waves to produce images of the abdominal organs, including the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and bladder.

Technique

A medical ultrasound linear array probe

Abdominal ultrasonography is performed using a device called a transducer, which emits high-frequency sound waves. These sound waves penetrate the body and are reflected back to the transducer by the internal organs. The reflected waves are then converted into electrical signals, which are processed to form an image on a monitor.

The procedure is non-invasive and typically requires the patient to lie on their back. A water-based gel is applied to the skin to facilitate the transmission of sound waves. The transducer is moved over the abdomen to capture images from different angles.

Applications

Abdominal ultrasonography is used for a variety of diagnostic purposes, including:

• Evaluating abdominal pain
• Detecting gallstones
• Assessing liver disease
• Diagnosing kidney stones
• Monitoring the size and shape of abdominal organs

Advantages

Abdominal ultrasonography offers several advantages:

• It is a safe procedure with no exposure to ionizing radiation.
• It provides real-time imaging, allowing for dynamic assessment of organs.
• It is relatively inexpensive compared to other imaging modalities like CT scans or MRI.

Limitations

While abdominal ultrasonography is a valuable diagnostic tool, it has limitations:

• It may not provide clear images in patients with obesity or excessive intestinal gas.
• It is operator-dependent, requiring skill and experience to obtain accurate results.

Related Pages

• Ultrasound
• Medical imaging
• Liver function tests
• Radiology

Gallery

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  Ultrasonographic measurement of aortic diameter
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