In the ultrasound of the abdominal cavity what is included? Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity what shows?

As you know, the disease is easier to prevent than treat. But sometimes a disease overcomes a person, and then the only way out is to see a doctor as soon as possible. The key to successful recovery is properly prescribed treatment, which, in turn, depends on the correct diagnosis. Science does not stand still, and more and more modern equipment for examination and treatment comes to the aid of doctors. One of the most common such devices is an apparatus for performing ultrasound. Today we will talk about this method of research, learn more about ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, what is included in the study, how it is conducted and how to prepare for it.

Historical reference

It is interesting that for the first time the ultrasound was not used for medical purposes: with the help of the apparatus, the military searched for the sunken ship "Titanic". In the 30s of the last century in America, doctors used a new device to detect a tumor in the patient's brain. Due to the fact that ultrasound is unable to penetrate the bone structure, they did not succeed, however, this case gave impetus to the introduction of ultrasound in medicine.

Since the 1960s, almost all hospitals and hospitals have boasted of having a "state-of-the-art" device for research. Now it has become much easier for doctors to examine patients and make diagnoses. Since the 90's, the equipment has significantly changed: there are modern scanners that allow you to view the smallest details of the image.

What I see?!

One of the most common studies is the ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. What is included in this procedure? Why do doctors appoint this study so often? With the appearance in medicine of such a method of examination of internal organs, the probability of establishing an accurate diagnosis has sharply increased. The ultrasound of the abdominal cavity helps to establish the exact dimensions of the internal organs, their location and structure, to examine the inflammatory foci or to see the neoplasm. The study of the abdominal cavity includes the diagnosis of the liver, gall bladder, pancreas, spleen. The method allows to detect congenital anomalies of internal organs development or to reveal polyps, kidney stones and gall bladder and other organs. Before the study, the patient will be useful to know about the ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, which shows how and how the procedure is performed.

Ultrasound of the liver

The liver is the most important organ that carries out a detoxification, that is, a "clearing" function: it removes toxins from the body, neutralizes harmful substances entering the blood. This is the only organ that can "grow back": for some diseases, doctors are forced to "cut off a piece" of tissue, and the liver eventually takes its original size.

When examining the liver with ultrasound, it is possible to detect such violations as:

• Enlarging the liver in volume.
• Fat cysts.
• Expansion of the blood vessels of the liver.
• Increased portal vein.
• Presence of neoplasms in the liver and blood vessels.
• Cysts.
• Abscesses.
• Focal changes.

If, after examination, violations in the liver are detected, the diagnosis should be clarified with additional tests or other procedures. It can be a computer tomography, a biopsy, an angiography, a laparoscopy.

The doctor appoints ultrasound of the liver when the laboratory data does not show the organ damage, but the probability of its destruction is high. If it is necessary to clarify the pathological focus found by other methods, to assess the localization of metastases in the liver and their number, with liver injuries, the doctor prescribes a procedure. Through ultrasound, the condition is monitored for hepatitis and other chronic diseases.

Ultrasonography of the gallbladder

Indications for ultrasound of the gallbladder are:

• Suspicions of gallbladder or bile duct disease ;
• Changes in these bodies, identified earlier;
• Evaluation of secretory function;
• The presence of pain in the abdomen;
• Presence of stones.

With the help of ultrasound of the gallbladder, you can identify acute and chronic cholecystitis, cholesterosis, gallstones and bile ducts, cancer.

Ultrasound of the pancreas

The ultrasound of the pancreas helps to see the organ in different projections and assess its condition, to identify acute and chronic pancreatitis, cancer, the presence of fatty infiltrations. The doctor recommends a pancreas examination with:

• Pain in the upper abdomen, in the hypochondrium and left side, which are regularly repeated;
• Changes in organ function that were detected during biochemical analysis;
• Jaundice;
• Disorders of stool;
• Sharp and unjustified weight loss.

Ultrasound of the spleen

The spleen works in the human body "without restraint": it regulates the function of hematopoiesis, ensures the continuous production of antibodies and lymphocytes that fight diseases. Ultrasound of the spleen can reveal cysts, infarcts, abscesses, torsion of the legs of the organ, developmental abnormalities, enlargement, tumor-like formations. The doctor appoints the study in cases where there is a suspicion of:

• Malformations of the organ;
• Injuries;
• Some infectious diseases;
• Chronic liver disease;
• Tumorous neoplasms of the abdominal cavity;
• Leukemia.

The simplest study, which allows you to diagnose the organs of the digestive tract - ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. What is included in it except for the examination of the above organs? The doctor during the examination receives information about all parts of the abdomen and retroperitoneal space.

Preparation of adults for examination

The most common method of diagnosis is ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. What is included in the preparation for the survey? For a reliable result, it is important to correctly prepare for an ultrasound study. Since gases, feces create "interference" during examination, you need to follow a strict diet before the procedure. For 3 days before ultrasound should be deleted legumes, bread, floury sweets, fresh fruits and vegetables, fatty, fried foods. The best food these days is served by oatmeal, barley or linseed porridge, lean fish and meat. On the day before the ultrasound, the last meal should be no later than 19.00.

Those who suffer from increased gas production, elderly people are advised to take drugs that improve digestion: drugs "Festal", "Mezim." Patients suffering from constipation should receive a mild laxative before the ultrasound or a clearing enema. Any medicine should be taken only as directed by the doctor in charge.

You can not chew gum, smoke, drink carbonated drinks, strong tea and coffee before the procedure, as this contributes to deterioration of visualization during examination.

Preparing children for ultrasound

Children under the age of one year should miss one feeding before the study. Older children can tolerate and not eat 4 hours before the procedure. Before the ultrasound of the abdominal cavity a child older than 3 years should be excluded from eating for 7 hours. If there are results from the previous study, then they need to be shown to the doctor.

To get a full idea of the state of health, often the doctor calls for an ultrasound to be made to the child: the abdominal cavity, the retroperitoneal space, and all parts of the abdomen.

Course of examination

On average, the duration of the study is 20-30 minutes, for which the doctor fully assesses the condition of the abdominal organs. The patient lies on his back, exposing the abdomen. The doctor applies a gel to the test part of the body, which increases the conductivity of ultrasound and improves the visibility of the device. Special doctor examines the organs of the abdominal cavity, leading to the surface of the abdomen. The patient is not disturbed by any sensation during the study. After the end of the procedure, the sticky gel is easily washed off with water.

Indications for the procedure

When and at what symptoms do doctors recommend an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity? There are some indications, in the presence of which the doctor can refer the patient to the procedure:

• Bitterness in the mouth, especially if it is repeated from day to day;
• Appearance after the reception of acute or fatty food paroxysmal pain in the right hypochondrium, as well as when there are stupid pains not related to food;
• Flatulence, increased gas formation;
• Any pain in the abdomen;
• Uninterrupted long-term skin itching or non-healing rashes on the skin.

There are also reasons why a doctor can prescribe this procedure: an allergic reaction, increased thirst, yellowing of the eye sclera and others.

In the mandatory passage of ultrasound patients in need of hepatitis, patients with pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, people who have received injuries of the abdominal cavity, or those who undergo a preventive examination. Examination is prescribed when it is necessary to clarify or identify any abnormality in the abdominal cavity. It is important to know that the norm of ultrasound of the abdominal cavity is a relative term, and in rare cases, people with structural and internal structure features are found.

Contra-indications for examination

The method of investigation has practically no contraindications, which makes it accessible and completely safe. Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and kidneys will allow to determine in the shortest possible time the presence of pathological site and organ and start treatment in time.

Advantages of ultrasound

The examination method is non-invasive, that is, the examination does not violate the integrity of the skin, which completely eliminates the risk of infection. Modern equipment makes it possible to conduct a patient's study directly in the ambulance, which significantly speeds up the diagnosis and affects the favorable outcome of the disease. It is proved that the patient receives a minimum dose of radiation, which does not affect his condition in any way: if necessary, it is safe to conduct repeated ultrasound. It is possible to conduct a study in a severe and critical condition. Another advantage of ultrasound of the abdominal cavity is the price, which is small in comparison, for example, with magnetic resonance imaging.

The only feature of the method: decoding of ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and other organs and systems should be performed by a qualified doctor.

Where to do

You can conduct ultrasound in all clinics, hospitals, maternity hospitals. Some ambulances are equipped with portable ultrasound devices that can perform not only a study of a certain organ in "marching" conditions, but also carry out an examination of the fetus.

Private clinics, medical centers also have in their arsenal an apparatus for carrying out ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. The price for conducting a survey in a non-governmental institution is higher than for a similar procedure at a public clinic. The result depends entirely on the physician's competence: the more experienced he is, the better he performs diagnostics.

Now you know everything about ultrasound of the abdominal cavity: what the survey shows, how to prepare for it, how the research is carried out. Remember that the method is completely safe, which means you do not need to be afraid of it. Be healthy!