Ultrasound examination is a harmless, patient-friendly diagnosis of the abdominal organs. Internal organs are monitored using ultrasound diagnostics for adults, children, and girls expecting a child. Specific research results require careful preparation. What it consists of depends on the organ being studied.
Ultrasound is a new, reliable research method. The procedure is recommended for routine examination, suspected pathology. The technique allows you to determine diseases of the stomach, identify pathologies of the pancreas, spleen, abdominal region, duodenum, liver, kidneys, and view the entire body.
Ultrasound examination is indicated in the following cases:
- Suspicion of changes in organs detected by palpation;
- Abdominal injuries;
- Regular nausea, flatulence;
- Suspicion of tumors;
- Routine examination of organs;
- Preparation before surgery.
If the attending physician has prescribed an examination of the abdominal organs using ultrasound scanning, comprehensive measures to prepare for the procedure are required. Before an ultrasound, you need to properly prepare for an authentic result. The doctor will not see the reason for the patient’s poor health when there are large accumulations of gases in the intestines due to the inability of the rays to overcome unnecessary barriers. Most abdominal organs are examined on an empty stomach.
Preparation should begin 3-4 days before the examination. At the first stage, you need to properly organize your diet, create a sample menu for yourself, collect Required documents. It is necessary to inform the doctor about diseases consumed medicines. Chronic pathologies change the preparation algorithm. This concludes the preparation for the abdominal examination.
Nutrition before ultrasound
In adults, preparation takes place in combination with a strict diet and mechanical or medicinal therapy. The patient must adjust his diet 3-4 days before the ultrasound. An important point is the reduction of gases in the digestive organs.
It is better to eat food often in small quantities. Food should not be washed down. Drink weak tea or pure warm water Needed after finishing a meal. The recommended volume of fluid per day is 1.5 liters.
It is allowed to eat grain porridges: buckwheat, oatmeal with water. Flaxseed porridge is allowed. Lean poultry and veal are recommended. Fish with no more than 4% fat content can be safely consumed. Allowed to eat egg hard-boiled Soups made from lean meat broth with the addition of cereals can be eaten as a first course. Compotes and natural juices of low concentration are allowed.
In the evening before the ultrasound, meat and fish products are excluded. If the study is carried out in the morning, you cannot have breakfast. Taking the examination in the afternoon or when scheduled for the evening allows for a light breakfast.
Espumisan, Smecta, Activated carbon will help cope with gas formation in an adult patient after eating. Bobotik will help the children.
Restrictions are placed on popular foods, but there are many alternative diet options.
Doctors advise not to eat pork and fatty meats, which take a long time to digest due to excess fat. Bakery products and baked goods made with yeast should be excluded from the diet. Unprocessed vegetables and fruits are gas-forming foods; doctors advise not to eat them.
Drinks that are contraindicated include alcohol, coffee, strong tea, and carbonated water. It is not recommended to drink whole milk; it can cause fermentation in the stomach. Before the procedure, the consumption of sausages and sausage products, pates is prohibited. All types of nuts and mushrooms are prohibited.
Nutrition for children before the procedure
Preparing for an ultrasound in a child is different than in an adult. Newborns and children up to one year old can skip feeding approximately 3 hours before the study. Limit fluid intake one hour before the ultrasound.
Child from one year to three years It is necessary to take the last meal 4-5 hours before, liquids - an hour before. Children over three years old must take an eight-hour break from eating before the examination.
Purgation
Cleansing the intestines is the most important stage of preparation for the procedure. It is carried out the day before the diagnosis. An enema filled with one and a half liters of cool, unboiled water is used. When the mechanical process is completed, you need to use sorbents.
When preparing, instead of an enema, it is permissible to do a microenema - Microlax. A drug based on natural ingredients will be a good alternative to the usual method of cleansing the intestines. Effective in 5-15 minutes. You can do a microenema an hour or two before the test.
What to take with you
You should not go for diagnostics empty-handed - collect the necessary package of documents. Take a referral for a study with the seal of a medical institution, the signature of a doctor. In the case of a paid examination - an agreement with the medical center, a receipt for payment. A passport may be required. Be sure to bring a medical insurance card.
It is better to provide the doctor with the results of the previous study and the results of tests that will need to be taken in advance. Additional information will help the doctor pay close attention important points.
Some medical centers do not provide disposable diapers or shoe covers, so take them with you.
Preparatory activities aimed at examining the abdominal organs
Most doctors conduct a comprehensive examination of the abdominal organs. Sometimes special attention should be paid to a specific organ, since the disease can worsen the patient’s well-being. In this case, the preparatory activities are different.
Ultrasound of the bladder and kidneys
An examination of the bladder allows us to identify various pathologies of the organ that worsen the patient’s quality of life.
You need to carefully prepare for an organ examination. The authenticity of the result depends on this process. By the beginning of the procedure, the bladder is filled, which helps determine its shape, contours and wall thickness.
To fill the organ, you need to drink 1.5 liters of liquid in the form of tea, compote, or clean water 2 hours before the examination. In this case, you should not empty your bladder.
If the patient experiences pain in the lower back, this may indicate complications in the kidneys. If a kidney pathology is suspected, the doctor calls Special attention during the study on the specified organ of the patient.
The examination of the adrenal glands and kidneys is carried out on an empty stomach and in an empty intestine. The absence of problems with stool allows you to avoid additional stimulation, and morning bowel movements are sufficient. For constipation, it is better to use a laxative.
Ultrasound of the pancreas
When diagnosing the pancreas, the size and contours of the organ are assessed, and benign and malignant formations are visualized. You need to carefully prepare for the examination of the pancreas.
Three days before the study, the patient needs to refuse foods high in protein. A protein-free diet includes eating bran, vegetarian soups, vegetables, fruits, and berries. Alcohol should not be consumed during the preparatory period.
On the day of the procedure, laxatives are taken on an empty stomach. Smoking is prohibited before the examination. People with regular gas formation should take Activated carbon.
Ultrasound of the liver
Ultrasonic method Liver studies help visualize pathological processes in the organ at an early stage. The final result depends on the preparation for the examination of the organ.
You can prepare for a liver ultrasound by following the recommendations for diagnosing the abdominal organs.
For overweight people - cleansing the body with an enema or taking laxatives. Cleaning with sorbent is acceptable.
Preparation for diagnosis of the uterus and appendages
In women, when examining the abdominal organs, the uterus and appendages are visible. A woman needs to prepare for this type of diagnosis in advance. As in other cases, the usual rules of nutrition should be adjusted and aimed at cleansing the body. The examination itself is done on an empty stomach. Before an ultrasound of the uterus, it is necessary to fill the bladder for better visualization of the organs, drinking a liter of liquid an hour before the procedure, or not emptying the bladder for 2-3 hours.
Disadvantages of the method
Ultrasound reveals many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system. However, the diagnosis is not perfect. Some serious pathologies are detected using alternative, more informative methods of research. Ultrasound requires preparation in advance, otherwise a number of factors may distort ultrasound data. Distorts the readings:
- Abdominal obesity;
- Energetic movements of the patient during diagnosis;
- Bloating;
- Damage to the skin in the peritoneal area.
It is recommended to eat properly on the eve of an ultrasound, monitoring the quantity and quality of food consumed. In this case, the research results will be reliable. The attending physician will tell you about the nuances during the diagnosis. The doctor will give detailed recommendations on how to properly prepare for the procedure and what medications and pills you need to take.
Ultrasound examination is a safe and comfortable diagnostic method for the patient. The examination should be carried out at least once a year for preventive purposes. The procedure can be completed in private research centers and in the clinic to which the patient is assigned. The proper level of preparation will provide a reliable result and allow an accurate diagnosis to be made.
Proper preparation for an abdominal ultrasound is an important part of guaranteeing reliable results. Informing the patient about the rules of preparation for an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity is within the competence of the doctor who gave the referral for such a diagnosis.
Both for therapeutic diagnostics and before surgery. This type of ultrasound is completely harmless, even when performed multiple times.
Why do you need to prepare for an ultrasound?
Preparation for an ultrasound of the abdominal organs should include the following activities:
- special diet and diet before the procedure;
- eliminating existing bad habits;
- adjustment of medication regimen;
- cleansing the gastrointestinal tract.
A diet before an abdominal ultrasound will allow you to properly prepare for the diagnostic examination. If diagnostics of diseases of the abdominal organs is planned in the near future, then it is recommended to abandon other diagnostic measures for a while, for example, radiography with the use of a contrast agent.
Distortion of ultrasound results can be caused by factors such as:
- cramps and contractions of intestinal smooth muscles during the examination;
- gassy intestines;
- abdominal obesity;
- significant skin damage in the abdominal area;
- the presence in the intestine of remains of a contrast agent that was used when performing an X-ray of the abdominal cavity;
- excessive physical activity during ultrasound.
A diet before undergoing an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity allows you to level out the amount of gases and processed food in the intestines, which affects the reliability of the data obtained Increased gas formation is often an obstacle to a full diagnosis, since accumulated gases interfere with clear visualization of organs. The fat layer in the abdominal area also interferes with the visualization of organs. In this case, ultrasonic waves cannot penetrate deep into the tissues and reflect the organs being examined.
Dietary regimen before the examination
Approximately 3-6 days before the expected day of abdominal examination, you should follow a strict diet. The main task is to eliminate and prevent increased gas formation. Therefore, at this time it is forbidden to consume foods that contribute to the formation of gases. The following foods should be temporarily excluded from the diet:
- carbonated drinks;
- milk;
- all legumes, regardless of cooking method;
- raw vegetables;
- fruits that provoke the formation of gas;
- sweets and yeast products;
- cottage cheese and fermented milk products;
- strong drinks containing caffeine;
- black breads;
- fatty fish and meats;
- alcohol.
It is allowed to eat boiled beef and chicken, preferably brisket and quail meat. Eating fish is allowed baked, boiled or steamed. It is allowed to eat boiled eggs, but only 1 piece per day. It is advisable to eat porridge cooked in water, with the exception of rice. It is allowed to include low-fat hard cheese in the diet.
An important part of the diet is the diet; you need to eat often and in small portions. You should not drink while eating. It is recommended to drink at least 1.5 liters of clean water per day. This diet should be followed until the evening before the day of the ultrasound.
It is advisable to do it in the morning and on an empty stomach. If the procedure is planned for the second half of the day, then a light snack is decided; you cannot eat before the procedure.
Taking carminatives
To solve problems associated with the formation and accumulation of gases in the abdominal cavity, you can take one of the drugs: Espumisan, Smecta, white or activated carbon. If a child is undergoing an ultrasound, then Espumisan and Bobotik are suitable. Children should not drink activated carbon. Dosages of drugs are indicated in the annotation.
If Espumisan is recommended for use before diagnosis for 3 days, then these sorbents can be taken only the night before, this will be enough to relieve symptoms that interfere with ultrasound. If adult patients do not have a history of pancreatitis, then they can take their usual medications that improve digestion.
Colon cleansing
In order to properly prepare for an ultrasound of the abdominal organs, it is also necessary to carry out bowel cleansing procedures. An enema is used for this; it is given the day before the diagnostic examination, in the evening. Take Esmarch's mug and fill it with cool water from the tap, about 1.5 liters. After a cleansing enema, it is recommended to take sorbents or drugs to eliminate bloating in the abdominal cavity.
After giving an enema, symptoms of bloating may appear, so it is recommended to take sorbent drugs If it is not possible to give an enema, then you can use microenemas such as Microlax or Norgalax for these purposes. Instead of a cleansing enema using an Esmarch mug, you can take herbal laxatives. In addition, the powdered drug Fortrans will help cleanse the intestines. Before use, it must be dissolved in water and drunk within an hour, preferably taken before 7 pm. It is approved for use only by persons over 14 years of age.
- you should not smoke a couple of hours before the examination;
- It is advisable not to eat candy or chewing gum;
- if radiography with a contrast agent was performed, then at least 2 days should pass before the ultrasound examination;
- in the presence of chronic conditions that require taking medications on an ongoing basis, you need to inform the ultrasound doctor about this;
- If the kidneys are to be examined, it is advisable to fill the bladder. To do this you need to drink about 0.5 liters. liquids, it is better to drink still water or tea without sugar. The bladder is released only after the examination.
It is necessary to prepare for an abdominal ultrasound in compliance with all prescribed rules and recommendations. If you prepare correctly, you can reliably determine the cause of abdominal pain, assess the condition of the liver and gallbladder, identify kidney diseases, and examine the pancreas. In addition, such an examination will help identify life-threatening conditions for the patient, for example, acute appendicitis, and promptly prescribe another disease.
A diagnostic examination using ultrasound is a quick and at the same time painless way to view the condition of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity, if there is an indication for examination. To minimize the risk of a diagnostic error, you need to know how to prepare for an ultrasound correctly, what needs to be done on the eve of the examination, and in what cases the procedure is prescribed.
Indications for use
Ultrasound examination is prescribed in the following cases:
- examination of altered soft tissues detected during palpation examination;
- preoperative preparation;
- abdominal organ injuries;
- injuries of the tendon-ligamentous apparatus, muscles, joints;
- suspicion of a neoplasm;
- routine ultrasound examination;
- screening during pregnancy;
- flatulence and frequent nausea.
Information on how a patient should prepare before an ultrasound scan
If the doctor has prescribed this diagnostic method, then it is necessary to carry out a set of preparatory actions without fail. After all, if a large amount of gas accumulates in the intestines, the doctor will not consider everything that is required. The procedure is carried out in the morning, on an empty stomach.
The recommended preparation time for ultrasound examinations is 3–4 days before the start of diagnosis. In a few days, nutrition is normalized and the intestines are cleansed. If there is constipation, then a separate diet is drawn up, medical records and documents are prepared.
The attending physician should inform you in more detail about the methods of preparation.
Preparing for an ultrasound - proper nutrition
If you need to do an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, then the patient’s nutrition is aimed at cleansing the intestines with the help of large quantity fiber. The doctor may additionally prescribe laxatives, which will be taken 12–24 hours before the ultrasound. It is necessary to reduce the amount of gas in the intestines.
Food is consumed fractionally, in small quantities, every 2–3 hours. It is not recommended to drink food right away, so as not to impair the ability of the stomach to digest (when mixing food with liquid, the concentration of hydrochloric acid decreases). You need to drink at least 1.5–2 liters of water per day to avoid dehydration.
The basis of the diet is grains, cereals and vegetables. Protein products include lean meats and fish. You can eat 1-2 boiled eggs a day, no more.
Before performing an ultrasound of the abdominal organs, it is important to exclude the following list of products:
- any carbonated drinks, including mineral water;
- dairy products;
- legumes in any form of preparation;
- raw vegetables;
- a large amount of fruit, which provokes increased gas formation; in particular, it is not recommended to eat grapes, dried fruits, nuts, plums before an ultrasound;
- sweet, flour made from yeast-based dough;
- cottage cheese, milk, fermented milk products;
- alcohol;
- fatty fish and meats;
- black and gray bread;
- caffeinated drinks, strong tea.
It is better to eat chicken and boiled veal and beef. It is recommended to select parts of carcasses where the amount of fat is minimal. Fish can be eaten boiled or baked. Fried food is prohibited. It is better to eat porridge on water. It is allowed to add a small amount of hard cheese to the menu.
How to prepare for an ultrasound of a child
The timing of preparation for an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity in children differs from the recommended time periods without food in adults. If OBP is prescribed to an adult 12 hours after the last meal, then in children the time period is reduced. The younger the age, the shorter the waiting period. Infants up to one year old have their gastrointestinal tract examined within 3 hours from the last feeding. Liquids are limited an hour before the procedure.
Children under three years of age are allowed to eat their last meal 4–5 hours before ABP. Drinking is limited one hour before meals. Children aged 3 to 12 years adhere to an eight-hour break between meals and food intake.
How to prepare - colon cleansing
A day before the procedure, you will need to clear the contents of your intestines. To do this, prepare an enema filled with one and a half liters of water. The water should be warm and boiled. This is followed by a standard procedure for cleaning the intestinal contents, after which it is recommended to take enterosorbents. Activated carbon will do.
If you don’t want to use the “old-fashioned method” with a rubber enema, you can buy a pharmacy microenema. This is a single-dose laxative drug that is administered as an enema, acts locally and allows you to have a bowel movement within 15 minutes. The advantage of this method is that a microenema can be administered several hours before the start of the procedure, in the morning. This method is more convenient to prepare.
How to prepare before a specific study
In most cases, a comprehensive examination of all organs of the gastrointestinal tract is performed, but sometimes a separate and thorough diagnosis of one internal organ is required. In such a situation, the patient’s preparation before the procedure may differ from standard recommendations.
Ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder
A thorough examination of the patient allows us to identify possible abnormalities in the functioning of the organ. Before this, you should prepare for an ultrasound to minimize the chance of error. In order for the doctor to more accurately examine the picture of the bladder, the patient should drink 1.5–2 liters of water, tea or compote on an empty stomach 2 hours before the ultrasound of the organs, but should not go to the toilet.
Because of this, the bladder becomes full and can be better seen with an ultrasound probe. Failure to comply with this rule may negatively affect the results of the examination. If the patient feels pain in the lower back during abstinence, this indirectly indicates problems with the kidneys. Also, ultrasound of the adrenal glands, like the kidneys, is performed on an empty stomach after bowel movement.
Pancreas examination
During an ultrasound, the size, outline are assessed and visualized neoplasms of a malignant or benign nature are looked for.
During this procedure, strict adherence to nutritional rules is required. 3 days before the session, the patient excludes protein foods from the diet. The basis of the special diet is bran, vegetable soups, berries and fruits. Alcoholic drinks are prohibited.
On an empty stomach on the day of the session, you need to take laxatives. You should not smoke before an ultrasound. If the patient suffers from flatulence, it is necessary to take a carminative drug or enterosorbent prescribed by the doctor.
Ultrasound of the liver
With timely examination, it is possible to notice structural changes and visualize the onset of pathological processes at the initial stages of development. Preparation for the study is simple - you need to cleanse your intestines the day before, take a laxative and follow the principles of proper nutrition.
Diagnostics of the genital organs - uterus and appendages
During pregnancy early stages The doctor also often asks you to drink a liter of water an hour before the ultrasound of the organs so that you can better see the uterus with the embryo. Examinations during pregnancy are not carried out on an empty stomach. A light breakfast is optimal for a pregnant woman. It is also undesirable to overeat heavily.
If a woman is not pregnant and it is necessary to perform an ultrasound of the genital organs, then the procedure is performed on an empty stomach. It is also advisable to fill your bladder before the examination. This is not necessary if the clinic has a modern device that allows you to examine the smallest details on the monitor screen.
What to take with you from documents
As with any medical institution, you must take with you documents confirming the patient’s identity. It is necessary to take a completed medical record, which indicates all the information about the patient - diagnosis, purpose of the study, indications, medical prescriptions. Be sure to take a medical insurance card with you. If a patient comes to a private clinic, then you need to prepare a receipt for payment for the medical services provided.
It is advisable to purchase hygiene items for one-time use in advance, since not all government agencies have them. Take pads, condoms, shoe covers, and diapers with you.
Disadvantages of diagnostic examination using an ultrasound machine
Although ultrasound examination of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity has established itself as one of the best, it still has significant shortcomings. The issue is especially acute when it is necessary to examine some serious pathologies that are localized in hard-to-reach places that are difficult to view with an ultrasound sensor. Therefore, for a detailed study, a combined diagnosis, including several methods, is often prescribed.
It is imperative to prepare for the examination in advance, otherwise the chance of error will increase. They also distort the viewing result:
- severe obesity in the abdominal area;
- bloating;
- skin damage on the abdomen;
- frequent movements of the patient during the procedure.
To examine serious pathologies, you need to adhere to nutritional rules several days before the examination. The attending physician must be notified of the required recommendations.
conclusions
To obtain an accurate result of the study, careful preparation for an ultrasound of the abdominal organs is necessary. The patient must follow a strict diet, do an enema and drink plenty of water on the day of the diagnosis. Despite some disadvantages, ultrasound is a comfortable and safe diagnostic method.
To find out detailed information about methods for examining the abdominal organs, it is recommended that you carefully study the information on our website in the appropriate section.
Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) is one of the safest, painless and popular diagnostic methods. Using this examination method, you can obtain a reliable diagnosis and prescribe treatment in a timely manner. To obtain the best visibility of the abdominal organs (kidneys, gallbladder, liver, pancreas), it is necessary that during the ultrasound there is no bloating of the intestines and stomach, because the presence of gases will interfere with the sound signal of the device and, based on the results of the examination, an unreliable clinical picture will be recorded. For this reason, in order to obtain accurate test results, the patient must properly prepare for the examination in advance.
An important step Preparation for an ultrasound of the abdominal organs is the use of foods that eliminate gas formation. The main idea of the diet is to eat light foods.
When to start preparing, what to drink and how to eat before an ultrasound
During the day, you need to have frequent meals in the range of 3-4 hours in small portions no larger than your fist. An hour before and an hour after a meal, you can drink weak tea without sugar or still water, but the main thing is not to drink while eating. During the day you need to drink one and a half liters of any liquid, preferably plain water without gas. It is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol, even in small doses, three days before the procedure; the presence of alcohol in the body can distort the results of the study.
Dietary products that do not affect gas formation
- beef;
- chicken or turkey meat;
- low-fat fish;
- soft-boiled or hard-boiled chicken egg (only one per day);
- oatmeal (buckwheat) porridge, cooked in water without butter;
- low-fat hard cheeses.
It is preferable to use steamed or boiled cooking methods.
Products that increase gas formation and are prohibited before ultrasound
During preparation, it is necessary to exclude spicy, fried and smoked foods from the diet. Below is a list of foods that contribute to intestinal gas:
- peas and other legumes;
- carbonated drinks;
- dairy products;
- sweets and bakery products;
- black and rye bread;
- milk;
- raw vegetables and fruits;
- coffee and other caffeinated drinks;
- alcoholic drinks;
- fish and meat are fatty varieties.
The described diet must be followed for all three days until the evening before an ultrasound of the abdominal organs, if the examination is scheduled for the morning. It is necessary to eat light foods on this day; you cannot go completely hungry the day before the procedure. If the reception hours are after 15:00 the next day, a small amount of light food is allowed at 8-10 am.
On the day of the study
An ultrasound of the abdominal organs is performed on an empty stomach. You can drink it in the morning if you are planning a bladder ultrasound. In other cases, it is better to avoid drinking water. In case of preparation for an ultrasound of the gallbladder, the doctor may prescribe to eat sour cream in the morning on an empty stomach or drink a few spoons vegetable oil. If you experience flatulence in the morning, it is recommended to do a cleansing enema. It is strictly forbidden to smoke on the day of the examination, because smoke may cause unclear and incorrect images.
How to prepare a child for an ultrasound
For children under 15 years of age, a special diet may be excluded for three days before the procedure.
Infants up to one year old
One feeding is allowed before the procedure;
Avoid drinking water an hour before the examination.
Children under 3 years old
Eating is not allowed 4 hours before the test,
You should not drink water or other liquids an hour before the procedure.
Children from 3 to 14 years old
No food intake 6-8 hours before the ultrasound;
Do not drink liquid for at least an hour.
The minimum period for which the patient is prescribed a diet in order to prepare for the examination of the abdominal organs is 3 days. If you manage to start a slag-free diet earlier, this will only improve the result and make the work of the diagnostician easier. The purpose of nutrition is to reduce gas formation. These are priority measures; in second place is reducing the amount of toxins, normalizing peristalsis and cleansing the intestines with the help of medical means.
- any legumes;
- all carbonated drinks;
- black breads;
- dairy products;
- fresh baked goods, confectionery;
- raw vegetables and fruits;
- fatty varieties of meat and fish products;
- alcoholic drinks;
- strong drinks such as tea and coffee.
Ultrasound of the abdominal organs is performed only on an empty stomach, so the last meal before the morning examination should be the evening before. If the procedure is scheduled in the afternoon, a light breakfast of approved dishes and products is allowed.
Dietary food may consist of:
- boiled lean meat (beef, veal, quail, chicken);
- lean fish. It is allowed to bake, boil, steam;
- hard-boiled chicken eggs. You can have one egg a day;
- from cereals: pearl barley, oatmeal and buckwheat; in the form of porridges;
- hard cheeses, not fatty.
In addition to the list of products, the patient is given recommendations to normalize his food intake: fractionally, in small portions approximately every 3 hours. Food should not be washed down immediately, so as not to disrupt its digestion and not contribute to the formation of toxins and gases. As for drinks, the diet allows sweet, weak tea and still water, which is drunk an hour before a meal or half an hour after a meal. The patient follows a drinking regime - at least 1.5 liters of water per day. Other drinks (tea) are not included in this volume.
The preparation of children of different ages differs.
- For babies under one year old, it is enough to skip one feeding before an ultrasound of the abdominal organs, this is approximately 3 hours before the examination. Drinking is prohibited one hour before the examination.
- Children from one to three years old can endure a four-hour fast and stop drinking an hour before the ultrasound.
- Children over 3 years of age fast for at least 6 to 8 hours before an abdominal ultrasound. Stop drinking liquids an hour before visiting the ultrasound room.
Using bowel preparation medications.
- Preparation is impossible without the use of medications that relieve symptoms of flatulence. The most commonly used drug that can be used by adults and children is Espumisan. In pediatric practice, “Bobotik”, “Infacol”, “Kuplaton” are allowed. Dosages according to age, course of administration - 3 days before the start of the study.
- If drugs containing simethicone (listed above) do not provide a full effect, or there are contraindications to them, it is advisable to use sorbents. This is “Smecta”, activated carbon, “white coal”. These medications need to be taken the night before and again 3 hours before the test. Activated carbon can only be taken by adults.
- To ensure that food components are completely digested and do not cause a fermentation process with the formation of gases, preparation can be supplemented by the administration of enzyme preparations such as Festal and Mezima, but only for adults, if there is no history of pancreatitis.
Contraindications to ultrasound
The patient can undergo an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity on his own initiative, or he can be directed by a doctor without fail for health reasons.
The main indications for prescribing UBP (ultrasound of the abdominal cavity) are the following symptoms:
- pain in any area of the abdomen;
- abdominal injuries;
- intense gas formation;
- pregnancy;
- heaviness in the epigastric (epigastric) region;
- indicators of laboratory tests that do not meet the standards;
- chronic constipation (constipation) or diarrhea (diarrhea);
- causeless weight loss.
The doctor can give a referral for testing if oncological processes are suspected, as well as to monitor the treatment of a previously diagnosed disease. You must register for the procedure in advance, since the examination requires preparatory measures. The exception is in emergency cases, for example, after an accident or when the patient is taken to the hospital with acute pain.
Ultrasound examination has no absolute contraindications. Relative (relative) are performing fluoroscopy of the gastrointestinal tract with a contrast agent less than two days before the ultrasound, and laparoscopy less than 4 days before the ultrasound.
Ultrasound diagnostics of a woman’s abdominal cavity is an opportunity not only to learn about the health of the digestive and urinary systems. During the procedure, problems with the reproductive system can be identified, which is a definite plus. Detected deviations will allow you to contact a gynecologist in time and prevent complications associated with women's health. If a doctor has prescribed a UBP for a woman, the examination cannot be ignored.
Interpretation of results: indicators are normal
Disease | Sign by ultrasound |
|
| Fatty liver |
|
|
| Cirrhosis of the liver | Direct signs:
| Indirect signs:
|
| Congestive liver circulatory failure |
|
|
| Focal liver pathologies: | Cysts, abscess, area of tumor necrotization, hematoma | An area devoid of echostructure |
| Cancer metastases (poorly differentiated), hepatocellular cancer, malignant lymphoma, sarcoma, adenoma, hemangioma, hematoma, abscess | Area with reduced echostructure | |
| Metastases of cancer (highly differentiated), adenoma, hepatoma, hemangioma, scars, foci of calcification | Area with enhanced echo structure | |
| Malignant liver tumor | Strengthening the echostructure in the center of the area and decreasing the echostructure along the edge of the space-occupying formation | |
| Acute cholecystitis |
|
|
| Chronic cholecystitis |
|
|
| Cholelithiasis | Direct signs:
| Indirect signs:
|
| Acute pancreatitis | Significant reduction in echostructure | |
| Chronic pancreatitis |
|
|
| Pancreatic tumor |
|
|
Ultrasound examination determines the size and shape of internal organs. They must correspond to the anatomical indicators of the norm. Any deviation indicates pathological changes in the body.
Among other indicators during ultrasound, the following standards are distinguished:
- Smooth contours of organs. In diseases, their indistinctness and blurriness are observed.
- The echo structure should be homogeneous (homogeneous echo structure). The pathological process occurring in the organ is indicated by granularity - heterogeneity of the echostructure.
- Normally, there is no space-occupying formation or calculus. If such structures are observed during decoding, they also indicate possible diseases.
Normal liver parameters are:
- The size of the left lobe is 7 cm
- Right – 12.5 cm
- Caudate – 3.5 cm
For the gallbladder, the following indicators are normal:
- Size 6 to 10
- Volume – from 30 to 70 cubic millimeters
- Shape – pear-shaped
- Wall thickness – no higher than 0.4 cm
Pancreas indicators are normal:
- Organ body – 2.5 cm
- Head – 3.5 cm
- Caudal part – 3 cm
The normal size of the spleen is 5 cm by 11 cm.
Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity is an effective diagnosis, with which you can identify pathology at the first stage and begin treatment
If the ultrasound result shows an increase in the volume of the liver, then hepatitis may be a possible pathology. A decrease in size indicates cirrhosis. If there are fatty cysts in the liver, the diagnosis is fatty degeneration. Weak echoes or diffuse enhancement indicate mainly hepatitis or cirrhosis.
When dilatation of the hepatic vessels is observed during decoding, these changes indicate damage to the veins by tuberculosis. When neoplasms are detected, additional research methods are prescribed in order to more accurately formulate a diagnosis. Changes in contours are observed as a result of inflammation of the organ. Fine-grained parenchyma indicates First stage development of cirrhosis or viral hepatitis.
Possible diseases with an increase in organ volume during ultrasound are:
- Cirrhosis
- Liver calcifications
- Cyst
- Hepatitis
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- Steatosis
- Hemangioma
- Gallbladder
Using ultrasound, you can determine the following organ diseases:
- Cholesterosis
- Cholelithiasis
- Cholecystitis
- Cancer formation
An increase in the size of the gallbladder indicates stagnation of bile processes, which can occur as a result of dyskinesia of the tract or the presence of stones. This can also change the shape of the organ. The walls of the organ become thicker during inflammatory diseases.
Conventionally, the abdominal cavity can be anatomically divided into three sections: upper, middle, lower. A full or partial examination may be carried out as prescribed by the doctor. A complete abdominal ultrasound includes:
- upper section: liver, spleen, stomach, pancreas, gall bladder;
- middle section: intestine (large and small), duodenum;
- lower section: ureter, adrenal glands, kidneys, bladder.
The examination is carried out according to a special UBP protocol, which defines what is included in the ultrasound. First of all, the liver is examined: the size of the organ (length, width, thickness, oblique vertical and craniocaudal size), the structure and outlines (contours) of the hepatic lobes, echogenicity or conductivity (conductive and reflective property in relation to ultrasound waves during diagnosis).
The stomach is examined for the presence of tumors. The gallbladder and ducts look at the presence of stones (stones) and patency of the ducts. In the pancreas, the condition of the lobes is assessed, as well as possible inflammation (pancreatitis). Spleen:
- size;
- location;
- state of the structure;
- conductivity (echogenicity).
The large intestine is examined, most often, for patency and the presence of polyps. Kidneys:
- size parameters;
- arrangement of organs in relation to each other;
- localization in the abdominal cavity;
- contours;
- presence of stones.
It is more convenient to look at the kidneys with the patient lying on his side
Bladder: size, shape, condition and density of the walls. In addition, the condition of the aorta, blood vessels, as well as the size of the lymph nodes is necessarily assessed. Features of ultrasound diagnostics of the abdominal cavity in women are that, in addition to the listed organs, the female reproductive system is visualized on the monitor. The doctor evaluates the condition of the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes.
Women should be especially attentive to the examination, since if they complain of intestinal problems, ultrasound diagnostics can reveal diseases associated with the internal genital organs.
The results, which are reflected in the protocol, are compared with standard indicators. The table shows the normal sizes of some internal organs in centimeters.
| Liver | Left lobe: thickness – 7, height – 10; right lobe: thickness – 13, length. - 5; vertical oblique size – maximum – 15; homogeneous structure (homogeneous); clear outlines |
| Pancreas | Body – 2.5; head – 3.5; tail – 3; smooth outlines; uniform conductivity; absence of neoplasms |
| Gallbladder | By length – 6-10; width – 3-5; no more than 7 in diameter; wall thickness – no more than 4; smooth edges; volume – from 30 to 70 cm² |
| Spleen | Width – 5; by length - 10; longitudinal section over area from 40-50 cm² |
| Kidneys | By length – 10-12; in width – 5-6; thickness – 4-5 |
Purgation
This is a necessary component in order to qualitatively prepare for an ultrasound of the abdominal organs. Bowel cleansing is carried out on the eve of the examination day between 16-18 pm. Preparation involves an enema, which is done using an Esmarch mug, the volume of water is 1–1.5 liters. The water should not be warm, as this promotes the absorption of toxins from the intestines. It is optimal to use cool, unboiled water.
There is an alternative to a cleansing enema - these are laxatives.
- Senade. Take 1 tablet before bedtime. It is not advisable to increase the dose, as this may cause increased gas formation.
- Fortrans. Sold in bags for a weight of 20 kg, only for persons over 14 years of age. On average, you will need from 3 to 4 sachets, which should be dissolved in one liter of water and drunk within 3 hours. Preferred time is from 16 to 19 pm.
- Microclysters. These are Microlax and Norgalax.
Preparation may not be possible with some drugs. There are medications based on the use of lactulose. They are also aimed at ensuring easy bowel movements, but contrary to this, they cannot be taken for preparation, since they cause increased gas formation.
Nuances before ultrasound:
- Avoid smoking 2 hours before the procedure;
- do not eat candy or chew chewing gum;
- persons suffering diabetes mellitus, not to starve! To do this, you should agree in advance with the doctor conducting or prescribing the study so that he reschedules the procedure for the morning.
- If you have had an X-ray examination using barium or other x-ray contrast agents in the last 2 days, warn the diagnostician about this before the examination.
- It is advisable to discontinue antispasmodic drugs if you are constantly taking them, after consulting with your doctor. These include: Papaverine, No-shpa, Spazmalgon, Papazol, Dibazol.
Scanning and studying the performance of the abdominal organs and kidneys involves preliminary cleansing of the body. On the eve of diagnosis, it is important to empty the intestines: get rid of feces and gas bubbles. In order to cleanse the digestive tract as much as possible, it is recommended to give an enema. For this, use an Esmarch mug with 1-1.5 liters of cool water no later than 18 pm (if the procedure is scheduled for the morning).
For patients who are unable to do an enema, fast-acting laxatives can be used: Microlax, Glycerin suppositories - in the morning before the procedure or Senade, Fortrans - the night before.
Preparing for an abdominal ultrasound: what you can eat and drink before the study, rules and diet
Ultrasound examination is a harmless, patient-friendly diagnosis of the abdominal organs. Internal organs are monitored using ultrasound diagnostics for adults, children, and girls expecting a child. Specific research results require careful preparation. What it consists of depends on the organ being studied.
Ultrasound is a new, reliable research method. The procedure is recommended for routine examination, suspected pathology. The technique allows you to determine diseases of the stomach, identify pathologies of the pancreas, spleen, abdominal region, duodenum, liver, kidneys, and view the entire body.
Ultrasound examination is indicated in the following cases:
- Suspicion of changes in organs detected by palpation;
- Abdominal injuries;
- Regular nausea, flatulence;
- Suspicion of tumors;
- Routine examination of organs;
- Preparation before surgery.
If the attending physician has prescribed an examination of the abdominal organs using ultrasound scanning, comprehensive measures to prepare for the procedure are required.
Before an ultrasound, you need to properly prepare for an authentic result. The doctor will not see the reason for the patient’s poor health when there are large accumulations of gases in the intestines due to the inability of the rays to overcome unnecessary barriers.
Most abdominal organs are examined on an empty stomach.
Preparation should begin 3-4 days before the examination.
At the first stage, you need to properly organize your diet, create a sample menu for yourself, cleanse the intestines, and collect the necessary documents.
You need to tell your doctor about any illnesses or medications you are taking. Chronic pathologies change the preparation algorithm. This concludes the preparation for the abdominal examination.
Nutrition before ultrasound
In adults, preparation takes place in combination with a strict diet and mechanical or medicinal cleansing of the body. The patient must adjust his diet 3-4 days before the ultrasound. An important point is the reduction of gases in the digestive organs.
It is better to eat food often in small quantities. Food should not be washed down. You should drink weak tea or clean warm water after finishing your meal. The recommended volume of fluid per day is 1.5 liters.
It is allowed to eat grain porridges: buckwheat, oatmeal with water. Flaxseed porridge is allowed. Lean poultry and veal are recommended. Fish with no more than 4% fat content can be safely consumed. You can eat a hard-boiled egg. Soups made from lean meat broth with the addition of cereals can be eaten as a first course. Compotes and natural juices of low concentration are allowed.
Espumisan, Smecta, Activated carbon will help cope with gas formation in an adult patient after eating. Bobotik will help the children.
Restrictions are placed on popular foods, but there are many alternative diet options.
Doctors advise not to eat pork and fatty meats, which take a long time to digest due to excess fat. Bakery products and baked goods made with yeast should be excluded from the diet. Unprocessed vegetables and fruits are gas-forming foods; doctors advise not to eat them.
Drinks that are contraindicated include alcohol, coffee, strong tea, and carbonated water. It is not recommended to drink whole milk; it can cause fermentation in the stomach. Before the procedure, the consumption of sausages and sausage products, pates is prohibited. All types of nuts and mushrooms are prohibited.
Preparing for an ultrasound in a child is different than in an adult. Newborns and children up to one year old can skip feeding approximately 3 hours before the study. Limit fluid intake one hour before the ultrasound.
A child from one to three years old needs to take his last meal 4-5 hours before and liquids within an hour. Children over three years old must take an eight-hour break from eating before the examination.
Purgation
Cleansing the intestines is the most important stage of preparation for the procedure. It is carried out the day before the diagnosis. An enema filled with one and a half liters of cool, unboiled water is used. When mechanical cleansing of the intestines is completed, you need to use sorbents.
When preparing, instead of an enema, it is permissible to do a microenema - Microlax. A drug based on natural ingredients will be a good alternative to the usual method of cleansing the intestines. Effective in 5-15 minutes. You can do a microenema an hour or two before the test.
You should not go for diagnostics empty-handed - collect the necessary package of documents. Take a referral for a study with the seal of a medical institution, the signature of a doctor. In the case of a paid examination - an agreement with the medical center, a receipt for payment. A passport may be required. Be sure to bring a medical insurance card.
It is better to provide the doctor with the results of the previous study and the results of tests that will need to be taken in advance. Additional information will help the doctor pay close attention to important points.
Some medical centers do not provide disposable diapers or shoe covers, so take them with you.
Most doctors conduct a comprehensive examination of the abdominal organs. Sometimes special attention should be paid to a specific organ, since the disease can worsen the patient’s well-being. In this case, the preparatory activities are different.
An examination of the bladder allows us to identify various pathologies of the organ that worsen the patient’s quality of life.
You need to carefully prepare for an organ examination. The authenticity of the result depends on this process. By the beginning of the procedure, the bladder is filled, which helps determine its shape, contours and wall thickness.
To fill the organ, you need to drink 1.5 liters of liquid in the form of tea, compote, or clean water 2 hours before the examination. In this case, you should not empty your bladder.
If the patient experiences pain in the lower back, this may indicate complications in the kidneys. If kidney pathology is suspected, the doctor pays special attention during the examination to the patient’s specified organ.
The examination of the adrenal glands and kidneys is carried out on an empty stomach and in an empty intestine. The absence of problems with stool allows you to avoid additional stimulation, and morning bowel movements are sufficient. For constipation, it is better to use a laxative.
When diagnosing the pancreas, the size and contours of the organ are assessed, and benign and malignant formations are visualized. You need to carefully prepare for the examination of the pancreas.
Three days before the study, the patient needs to refuse foods high in protein. A protein-free diet includes eating bran, vegetarian soups, vegetables, fruits, and berries. Alcohol should not be consumed during the preparatory period.
On the day of the procedure, laxatives are taken on an empty stomach. Smoking is prohibited before the examination. People with regular gas formation need to take activated charcoal.
Ultrasound of the liver
An ultrasound method for examining the liver helps visualize pathological processes in the organ at an early stage. The final result depends on the preparation for the examination of the organ.
You can prepare for a liver ultrasound by following the recommendations for diagnosing the abdominal organs.
For overweight people - cleansing the body with an enema or taking laxatives. Cleaning with sorbent is acceptable.
In women, when examining the abdominal organs, the uterus and appendages are visible. A woman needs to prepare for this type of diagnosis in advance.
As in other cases, the usual rules of nutrition should be adjusted and aimed at cleansing the body. The examination itself is done on an empty stomach.
Before an ultrasound of the uterus, it is necessary to fill the bladder for better visualization of the organs, drinking a liter of liquid an hour before the procedure, or not emptying the bladder for 2-3 hours.
Disadvantages of the method
Ultrasound reveals many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system. However, the diagnosis is not perfect. Some serious pathologies are detected using alternative, more informative methods of research. Ultrasound requires preparation in advance, otherwise a number of factors may distort ultrasound data. Distorts the readings:
- Abdominal obesity;
- Energetic movements of the patient during diagnosis;
- Bloating;
- Damage to the skin in the peritoneal area.
It is recommended to eat properly on the eve of an ultrasound, monitoring the quantity and quality of food consumed. In this case, the research results will be reliable. The attending physician will tell you about the nuances during the diagnosis. The doctor will give you a referral for an ultrasound, detailed recommendations on how to properly prepare for the procedure and what medications and pills you need to take.
Ultrasound examination is a safe and comfortable diagnostic method for the patient. The examination should be carried out at least once a year for preventive purposes. The procedure can be completed in private research centers and in the clinic to which the patient is assigned. The proper level of preparation will provide a reliable result and allow an accurate diagnosis to be made.
The final results of the study will be greatly distorted if the woman did not prepare for the procedure, or the preparation was carried out incorrectly. The main preparation is to change your diet a few days before the procedure. In addition, for the most accurate results, you must take certain medications.
Is it possible to drink water before an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and kidneys?
Preparation for an abdominal ultrasound should begin three days in advance. Eating behavior needs to be changed as follows. Eliminate foods that cause intense gas formation from the menu:
- all types of cabbage;
- beans, lentils, peas and other legumes, and dishes made from them;
- products containing lactose, in particular fresh milk;
- baked goods from butter dough and black bread;
- vegetables and fruits such as pears, apples, grapes, radishes, radishes, cucumbers, tomatoes;
- sweets;
- soda and kvass.
It is not recommended to eat fatty fish and meat. Alcoholic drinks are strictly prohibited. You should eat food every 3-4 hours, in portions of no more than 350 g. Cooking food by cooking by frying is excluded. If the study is done in the morning, you should have dinner before 19:00. Dinner should consist of light dietary foods. You cannot have breakfast on the day of the procedure.
Products that cause intense gas formation should be excluded. Gases remaining in the intestines at the time of examination distort the objective picture of the organs
Drinking regime
Analysis of the results obtained
Decoding of information concerns all organs located in the abdominal cavity: liver, spleen, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, hollow organs (stomach, intestines), lymph nodes.
The decoding shows the size of the organs, the presence of pathological foci, stones, changes in their echo density, contours, shape; for hollow organs such as the gallbladder, the volume and presence of stones, sand, and sediment are important. Intestinal loops and the stomach cavity are examined for “organ damage.” There should be no accumulation of fluid in these anatomical structures.
When examining lymph nodes, pay attention to their visualization, since ultrasound does not normally show them. If the diagnostician sees them, this may be evidence of an infectious or neoplastic disease (tumor).
Diet before an ultrasound of the abdominal organs: list of products, preparation - MEDSI
Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) is one of the safest, painless and popular diagnostic methods. Using this examination method, you can obtain a reliable diagnosis and prescribe treatment in a timely manner.
To obtain the best visibility of the abdominal organs (kidneys, gallbladder, liver, pancreas), it is necessary that during the ultrasound there is no bloating of the intestines and stomach, because the presence of gases will interfere with the sound signal of the device and, based on the results of the examination, an unreliable clinical picture will be recorded.
An important step in preparing for an ultrasound of the abdominal organs is the use of foods that prevent gas formation. The main idea of the diet is to eat light foods.
During the day, you need to have frequent meals in the range of 3-4 hours in small portions no larger than your fist.
An hour before and an hour after a meal, you can drink weak tea without sugar or still water, but the main thing is not to drink while eating. During the day you need to drink one and a half liters of any liquid, preferably plain water without gas.
- beef;
- chicken or turkey meat;
- low-fat fish;
- soft-boiled or hard-boiled chicken egg (only one per day);
- oatmeal (buckwheat) porridge, cooked in water without butter;
- low-fat hard cheeses.
It is preferable to use steamed or boiled cooking methods.
During preparation, it is necessary to exclude spicy, fried and smoked foods from the diet. Below is a list of foods that contribute to intestinal gas:
- peas and other legumes;
- carbonated drinks;
- dairy products;
- sweets and bakery products;
- black and rye bread;
- milk;
- raw vegetables and fruits;
- coffee and other caffeinated drinks;
- alcoholic drinks;
- fish and meat are fatty varieties.
The described diet must be followed for all three days until the evening before an ultrasound of the abdominal organs, if the examination is scheduled for the morning. It is necessary to eat light foods on this day; you cannot go completely hungry the day before the procedure. If the reception hours are after 15:00 the next day, a small amount of light food is allowed at 8-10 am.
On the day of the study
An ultrasound of the abdominal organs is performed on an empty stomach. You can drink it in the morning if you are planning a bladder ultrasound. In other cases, it is better to avoid drinking water.
In case of preparation for an ultrasound of the gallbladder, the doctor may prescribe you to eat sour cream on an empty stomach in the morning or drink a few tablespoons of vegetable oil. If you experience flatulence in the morning, it is recommended to do a cleansing enema.
- For children under 15 years of age, a special diet may be excluded for three days before the procedure.
- Infants up to one year old
- One feeding is allowed before the procedure;
- Avoid drinking water an hour before the examination.
- Children under 3 years old
- Eating is not allowed 4 hours before the test,
- You should not drink water or other liquids an hour before the procedure.
- Children from 3 to 14 years old
- No food intake 6-8 hours before the ultrasound;
- Do not drink liquid for at least an hour.
The ultrasound is performed with the patient lying horizontally on her back. During the procedure, the patient changes position, turning over on his side to better review organs. The transducer and the abdominal cavity are coated with a medical gel that conducts ultrasound waves. The doctor moves the sensor over the patient’s body, the waves easily penetrate inside, and the reflected signals are projected onto the monitor.
The woman does not experience any unpleasant or painful sensations. Discomfort can only occur if the patient feels acute pain at the time of the study. The time range for the examination depends on whether the doctor ordered a full or partial ultrasound, as well as the presence or absence of pathological abnormalities. On average, the time ranges from a quarter of an hour to 45 minutes.
A protocol with the final results is given to the patient. The final diagnosis is made by the doctor who referred the woman for an ultrasound. If an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity shows that there are pathologies of an unclear nature, additional examinations may be prescribed using a computer or magnetic resonance imaging scanner (CT, MRI).
Sample protocol to be completed based on diagnostic results
Preparing for an abdominal ultrasound - detailed recommendations
If you are scheduled for an abdominal ultrasound, preparation is no less important than the examination itself, because this directly affects the information content of the procedure.
3 days before the ultrasound: | The evening before the ultrasound: | Day of ultrasound: |
| Eating a small amount of food every 3-4 hours, about 4-5 times a day. Fluid intake is about one and a half liters daily. | A light dinner is allowed and must be eaten before 20.00. | If the study is carried out in the morning, breakfast is excluded. |
| Products that increase gas formation are completely excluded from the diet: brown bread, baked goods, fruits and vegetables, fatty meat and fish, alcohol, soda, milk, juices, legumes, etc. | Meat and fish products, even dietary ones, should not be included in dinner. | If the study is scheduled after 15:00, a light breakfast is allowed and should be eaten before 11:00. |
|
| 2 hours before the ultrasound, take 5 - 10 tablets of activated carbon or simethicone (2 capsules or 2 teaspoons of emulsion) |
| Adsorbents may be prescribed if the patient has a tendency to flatulence: activated carbon, enterosgel, espumisan, etc. | If laxatives are poorly tolerated, it is recommended to insert a Besacodyl suppository into the rectum (see suppositories for constipation). | If you are prone to flatulence, a cleansing enema may be prescribed in the morning, before the procedure. |
| Enzyme preparations can be prescribed to improve digestion and prevent gas formation: mezim, festal, pancreatin, creon, etc. | If laxatives are ineffective, a cleansing enema is prescribed 12 hours before the ultrasound. | Before an ultrasound, you should not chew gum, suck on lollipops, smoke, or take antispasmodics. |
- Infants under 1 year of age are recommended not to feed for 2-4 hours and not to drink for about 1 hour before the ultrasound.
- Children 1-3 years old - do not feed for 4 hours and do not drink 1 hour before the ultrasound,
- Children over 3 years old - preparation before an ultrasound is more strict; you cannot eat for about 6-8 hours and drink liquid 1 hour before the examination.
Most common diagnoses
Among the most common diagnoses identified by UBP are the following:
- neoplasms of a malignant or benign nature;
- death of the spleen (heart attack);
- inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis);
- protrusion of the intestinal wall;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- biliary dyskinesia;
- the presence of stones in the kidneys, gall bladder and bile ducts;
- inflammation of the female genital organs;
- inflammatory processes in any organ of the digestive system;
- purulent formations (abscesses);
- liver and kidney cysts;
- cholecystitis and cholecystopancreatitis;
- appendicitis;
- intestinal obstruction;
- through defects of organs (perforation).
Modern equipment allows us to conduct research with 100% reliability.
What is included in the examination - the organs examined and ultrasound capabilities
- After fluoroscopy of the gastrointestinal tract using contrast (irrigoscopy, gastrography).
- After endoscopy of the gastrointestinal tract (fibrogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy).
- After laparoscopy and pneumoperitoneum.
In the first and second cases, a delay of 2 days is made, in the last - 3-5 days. Preparation for abdominal ultrasound in these cases is the same as described above.
Ultrasound of the PD, as a rule, includes a mandatory examination of the gallbladder, liver, retroperitoneum, spleen, pancreas and blood vessels. The remaining organs are optional for examination and are examined according to indications.
The standard study protocol includes:
- determining the location and size of organs
- study of organ structure
- determination of free fluid in the abdominal space (more precisely, confirmation of its absence)
- exclusion of formations, cysts, stones, etc.
- Liver . Inspected first. Hepatosis, cirrhosis, cysts, and tumors can be diagnosed.
- Gallbladder and ducts. The patency of the ducts, the presence of polyps, gallstones, and the condition of the organ wall are assessed.
- Stomach . Inspected at the time of exclusion of formations.
- Pancreas. Where possible, all shares are valued. Pancreatitis, tumor and pancreatic necrosis may be detected.
- Spleen. The structure, location and size of the organ are assessed. Neoplasms, cysts, and inflammations are excluded.
- Intestines. Most often, only the large intestine is examined. If formations and polyps are detected, the patient is sent for a narrow examination.
- Kidneys. Localization and relative position, dimensions are assessed. Inflammatory changes, conglomerates, tumors and cysts may be detected.
- Bladder. The shape, size, condition of the walls, and contents are assessed.
- Vessels. The abdominal aorta and large vessels feeding the organs must be assessed. Blood flow and the condition of the vascular wall are determined.
- The lymph nodes. Their size is assessed (an increase is typical for oncological pathology).
- The uterus in women and the prostate gland in men. These organs are located in the pelvis, however, they can be examined. Tumors and inflammatory processes can be detected.
Before you begin to prepare for an ultrasound scan of the abdominal cavity, you should consult with your doctor or nurse about all possible nuances, including:
- mandatory smoking cessation 2–3 hours before the procedure;
- a ban on sucking candy and chewing gum;
- consultation with a sonologist for people suffering from diabetes.
Diabetics, especially those taking insulin, should not fast for a long time, so the procedure should be carried out in the morning. It is necessary to make an interval of at least 2 days if, before the ultrasound, the patient underwent an examination using barium - radiography or irrigoscopy. All medications the patient takes regularly must be reported to the doctor in advance so that he can adjust their intake while preparing for the examination, since, for example, heart medications cannot be discontinued, but antispasmodics will have to be abandoned.
A prerequisite for a kidney examination is to take one and a half liters of fluid.
Sucking on lollipops promotes swallowing air and causing flatulence, which is not recommended.
To prepare for a kidney ultrasound, you need to take at least 1.5 liters of still water or unsweetened tea, and then refrain from going to the toilet. Otherwise, preparation for an ultrasound scan of the kidneys is no different from other organs of the retroperitoneal space.
Description of the procedure
How is an abdominal ultrasound done? The procedure itself takes on average 15-20 minutes. An ultrasound is performed by an ultrasound specialist, who is assisted by a nurse, filling out a research protocol. There are no painful or uncomfortable sensations during the procedure. A special conductive gel is applied to the contact sensor.
The examination is carried out in a supine position; if necessary, the doctor may ask you to turn over on your side and hold your breath for a few seconds. Using a sensor connected to the monitor of an ultrasound machine, the doctor moves along the skin of the anterior abdominal wall, moving down and to the sides. During the procedure, the doctor will name numbers and medical terms that the nurse will enter into the protocol. Immediately after the ultrasound, you can eat and lead a normal lifestyle without restrictions.
Features of abdominal ultrasound in children
Ultrasound in infants is of particular interest, since in children one year and older, ultrasound is virtually no different from that in adults. Young children are referred for an abdominal ultrasound if:
- the presence of congenital pathologies;
- abdominal injuries;
- abdominal pain and fever of unknown origin;
- routine screening, which is mandatory during the neonatal period.
Ultrasound allows you to assess the condition of the digestive and excretory systems, namely: liver, bladder and ureters, kidneys, gall bladder, pancreas, stomach, intestines. The retroperitoneal space, adrenal glands, arteries, veins and nerve plexuses must be examined.
The procedure is carried out according to the same principle as the examination of an adult, but in the presence of one of the parents, who helps to hold the baby.
This study is necessary to exclude (or confirm) congenital pathologies, confirm the normal condition and functioning of organs according to age standards.
Ultrasound can reveal:
- congenital organ pathologies
- tumors, cysts and polyps of organs
- reactive pancreatitis
- kinks and constrictions of the gallbladder
- hyperplasia, liver cirrhosis and hepatitis
- enlarged spleen
- enlargement of regional lymph nodes
- blood flow disorders
Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity - how to evaluate the results of the study
As a rule, at the end of the study, the ultrasound doctor provides a short summary that is understandable to the patient, which may sound like “You are doing well” - the most expected and reassuring phrase. But there may be another conclusion, for example: “You need to see a gastroenterologist (urologist, etc.) for consultation.” But this should not be scary; any, even the most serious, pathologies can be treated, the main thing is not to delay it.
A research protocol is issued, which contains standard columns describing each organ, as well as a doctor’s conclusion. The conclusion indicates all identified pathologies or suspicions of them. If the patient is healthy, the conclusion will sound something like this: The abdominal organs are unremarkable.
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