Abdominal Ultrasound
|
Abdominal Complete
Typically this exam is ordered if a comprehensive evaluation of the upper abdomen is desired.
|
Abdominal Limited
See the list of indications for Abdomen Complete – This limited exam is typically ordered as a follow-up exam where the focus is to evaluate a single organ or quadrant (right upper quadrant or the left upper quadrant). Additionally this exam is ordered when a 4-quadrant survey for ascites check is desired.
other imaging |
Liver Doppler
• Hepatic artery thrombosis or stenosis • Pre-transplant liver doppler • Post-transplant liver doppler • Pre-TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic liver doppler • Post-TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic) liver doppler |
An abdominal ultrasound includes evaluation of many different organs: Liver, Gallbladder,Bile Ducts, Spleen, Pancreas, Kidneys , Aorta and Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) are the main areas that are investigated during this type of ultrasound. If your physician has ordered an abdominal ultrasound, they are interested in seeing the anatomy of these organs to determine if they are the source of pain of cause of the other symptoms you are having.
Liver: The liver is located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen.The liver regulates most chemical levels in the blood and excretes a product called bile, which helps to break down fats, preparing them for further digestion and absorption. All of the blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver. The liver processes this blood and breaks down the nutrients and drugs in the blood into forms that are easier to use for the rest of the body.
Gallbladder is is a small sac that is a storage container for bile. The gallbladder is located next to the liver in the right upper quadrant.Bile is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. During digestion, the gallbladder releases the bile which helps break down fatty foods and aid to the process of breaking them down. Gallstones are calcified “rocks” or thickened bile that can form within Gallbladder. Patients with abdominal pain are often evaluated to rule out gallstones or sludge.
Pancreas lies in the middle of the abdomen just below the notch of the sternum. It completes the job of breaking down protein, carbohydrates, and fats using digestive juices of pancreas combined with juices from the intestines. The pancreas also secretes hormones that affect the level of sugar in the blood. In addition, the pancreatic juice produces chemicals that help neutralize stomach acids that pass from the stomach into the small intestine.
Spleen is located in the left upper quadrant. The majority of the spleen's functions are related to the immune system or the blood supply. The spleen removes old red blood cells, called erythrocytes, from the blood supply and removes, stores and produces white blood cells or lymphocytes. These stored lymphocytes produce antibodies and assist in removing microbes and other debris from the blood supply.
Gallbladder is is a small sac that is a storage container for bile. The gallbladder is located next to the liver in the right upper quadrant.Bile is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. During digestion, the gallbladder releases the bile which helps break down fatty foods and aid to the process of breaking them down. Gallstones are calcified “rocks” or thickened bile that can form within Gallbladder. Patients with abdominal pain are often evaluated to rule out gallstones or sludge.
Pancreas lies in the middle of the abdomen just below the notch of the sternum. It completes the job of breaking down protein, carbohydrates, and fats using digestive juices of pancreas combined with juices from the intestines. The pancreas also secretes hormones that affect the level of sugar in the blood. In addition, the pancreatic juice produces chemicals that help neutralize stomach acids that pass from the stomach into the small intestine.
Spleen is located in the left upper quadrant. The majority of the spleen's functions are related to the immune system or the blood supply. The spleen removes old red blood cells, called erythrocytes, from the blood supply and removes, stores and produces white blood cells or lymphocytes. These stored lymphocytes produce antibodies and assist in removing microbes and other debris from the blood supply.
