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Abdominal ultrasound Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, August 2008

Answers to questions about abdominal ultrasound

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

Can you spot gallstones using ultrasound?

Yes, ultrasound can help pinpoint the location of gallstones.

Explanation

Gallstones are solid lumps or stones that form in your gallbladder or bile duct. Gallstones don't usually cause any symptoms unless they get stuck in the tubes leading out of the gallbladder. Common symptoms of having gallstones include indigestion and abdominal pain.

If your GP suspects that you have gallstones, he or she may refer you for an abdominal ultrasound. Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of the internal organs and pinpoint the location of any stones. Your radiologist or sonographer will apply a lubricating gel on your skin and move a sensor against your skin. Images of the inside of your body are displayed on a monitor.

You may also have blood and/or urine tests to help diagnose gallstones.

Further information

Sources

  • S Bret PM, Cordovez-Stanziola R, Atri M et al. Accuracy of ultrasound in counting and measuring gallstones. Abdom Imaging 1991;16:315-319
  • Shaffer EA. The biliary system. www.gastroresource.com, accessed 31 January 2008
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What is ultrasound-guided procedure?

An ultrasound-guided procedure is when your doctor uses ultrasound to check if he or she is reaching the correct area or tissue inside your body.

Explanation

Ultrasound produces images of the organs and structures inside the body. It's a safe and painless examination that is very helpful during procedures such as collecting fluid, draining cysts, taking tissue samples or delivering treatment. Below are some examples of ultrasound-guided procedures.

  • Biopsy. This is when a fine needle is inserted into an organ or a mass inside your body to remove a sample of tissue. Examples include breast biopsy, lymph node biopsy and prostate biopsy.
  • Amniocentesis. This is when a fine needle is injected into your womb to take a sample of the amniotic fluid surrounding your baby.
  • Foam sclerotherapy. This is a relatively new treatment for varicose veins. It involves injecting special foam into the affected veins.
  • Egg retrieval. This is when a fine needle is passed through your vagina into each ovary to collect eggs during in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment.

Further information

Sources

  • Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. www.rcog.org.uk, accessed 8 November 2007
  • Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins: IPG217. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). www.nice.org.uk, accessed 25 January 2008
  • Breast cancer tests. CancerHelp UK. www.cancerhelp.org.uk, accessed 25 January 2008
  • What's involved in IVF? Human fertilisation and embryology authority (HFEA). www.hfea.gov.uk, accessed 25 January 2008
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What is a Doppler ultrasound?

A Doppler ultrasound monitors blood pressure and flow in blood vessels, including major arteries and veins in your abdomen, arms, legs and neck.

Explanation

A Doppler ultrasound is done in the same way as an ordinary ultrasound procedure. Your radiologist or sonographer will apply a lubricating gel on your skin and move a sensor against your skin. High-frequency sound waves from the sensor bounce off the red blood cells and the returning echoes are picked up and sent to a computer. Any change in the pitch or frequency helps to estimate how fast the blood is flowing.

A Doppler ultrasound can help detect blood clots or narrowing of blood vessels. It's often used to diagnose:

  • heart disease and heart valve defects
  • venous insufficiency (poor blood flow) in the legs
  • deep vein thrombosis
  • narrowing of an artery

Doppler ultrasound is a useful alternative to procedures such as angiography. Angiography involves injecting dye into blood vessels and taking X-ray images. The dye helps to show the blood vessels more clearly on X-ray images.

Doppler ultrasound is also used during pregnancy to check placenta function and blood flow along the umbilical cord, and blood vessels in the baby's brain, lungs, heart and kidneys.

Further information

Sources

  • Hung RK, Zimmerman P, Duerinckx A et al. Noninvasive evaluation of peripheral arterial disease - Doppler. Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). http://ej.rsna.org, accessed 31 January 2008
  • Information for patients undergoing angiography. The Royal College of Radiologists. www.rcr.ac.uk, accessed 1 February 2008
  • Chamberlain G, Morgan M (eds). ABC of antenatal care. 4th edition. London: BMJ Books. 2002: 22

Related topics

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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: August 2008.

 

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