An abdominal ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to see structures inside the body. This test checks the health of internal organs especially abdomen — like liver, gallbladder, urinary track (kidneys, urethras, urinary bladder etc), reproductive organs (uterus, ovaries etc; and testes, spermetic cords etc) intestines, pancreas, arteries and veins etc.
Generally, “ultrasound” refers to the test, and “sonogram” refers to the image the test produces.
Why would a doctor order an abdominal ultrasound?
There are several reasons why a doctor may recommend an abdominal ultrasound. One of the most common is to check on a developing fetus throughout pregnancy. Providers often call this test a prenatal ultrasound.
Ultrasound can also check parts of your digestive system, for example:
A complete abdominal ultrasound examines above three organs, as well as:
What can an abdominal ultrasound detect?
Abdominal ultrasound may help pinpoint the cause of unexplained abdomen (stomach) pain. It can help diagnose conditions like:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (enlargement of abdominal aorta).
- Kidney stones.
- Kidney cancer.
- Bladder stones.
- Gallstones.
- Cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation).
- Liver disease.
- Kidney disease.
- Pancreatitis.
- Enlarged spleen.
- Abdominal cysts or tumors.
- Fatty liver disease.
- Certain types of cancer (for example pancreatic cancer etc).
Test Details
How does an abdominal ultrasound work?
Ultrasound uses sound waves we can’t hear, to take pictures of soft tissues inside our body. To capture these images, a doctor glides a handheld wand (transducer) over the abdomen.
The ultrasound machine sends out high-frequency sound waves that bounce off structures (organs, blood vessels and other soft tissues etc). A computer receives these signals and uses them to create pictures.
Abdominal ultrasound preparation
Your doctor will give complete instructions to the patient before the ultrasound. Patient has to follow their guidelines to ensure the most accurate test results. 
Your doctor may ask you to stop eating or drinking some hours before your test. In some cases, you may need to drink a specific amount of water right before your test. Or you may not need to prepare at all.
Abdominal ultrasound fasting
Depending on patient’s situation, patient might need to fast before her/his abdominal ultrasound. Having a full (or empty) bladder or stomach can sometimes lead to blurry images. Inform your patient if she/he should fast before appointment.
What to expect during the test
For an abdominal ultrasound, patient will lie on her/his back on a comfortable table. Patient will need to pull up or remove the shirt or put on a hospital gown.
During the test, a doctor:
- Applies gel to the abdomen. This gel may feel cold, but it won’t hurt and will not damage the skin and clothes.
- Moves the probe over your skin. The doctor gently moves the handheld ultrasound wand over the skin, on top of the gel, move the wand back and forth until the doctor clearly see the areas in question.
- Gives you instructions. The doctor performing this test may ask you (the patient) to turn to one side or hold your breath for a few seconds.
If a doctor wants to study patient’s blood vessels, her/his test may include Doppler ultrasound. Doppler sound waves detect details of how blood flows inside the blood vessels.
How long do abdominal ultrasounds take?
On average, an abdominal ultrasound usually takes less than 30 minutes to complete. But it could take more or less time depending on patient’s situation.
Are ultrasounds safe?
Ultrasound is a safer and accurate imaging test than an X-ray imaging, ultrasound doesn’t use radiation (which can cause health issues at high doses). Surveys indicate that the sonography profession is one of the most high-risk job groups vulnerable to MSDs. 
The theory that ultrasound has no known side effects, is wrong; Ultrasound can affect physical tissues, including heating, cavitation, and structural changes in tissues. The job of sonographers exposes them to numerous ergonomic risk factors, making the sonography profession one of the high-risk job groups vulnerable to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs – heterogeneous collection of over 150 inflammatory and degenerative conditions that affect the muscles, bones, nerves, tendons, and ligaments).
A 2008 WHO-led systematic review (61 publications) concluded: A mild association with non‑right‑handedness in boys was noted (OR 1.26). Follow-up randomized trials have consistently shown long-term effects — deficits in speech, behavior, IQ, and a minimal (~0.5-2 cm) reduction in boys’ height. Doppler in early pregnancy, as it generates higher thermal index (TI) is more dangerous for tissues (organs).
Based on the search in different databases, a total of 4367 articles were identified. Finally, after screening, selecting, and quality evaluation of the studies, 30 studies were considered for meta-analysis in which 13,916 sonographers were examined. According to the results of the meta-analysis, the overall prevalence of MSDs among sonographers was reported as 75.80% (95% CI: 65.37–86.23, I2 = 99.7%, P < 0.001). Additionally, the prevalence rates of these disorders in the neck (63.73%), shoulder (60.13%), upper back (53.69%), lower back (49.84%), wrist (44.41%), elbow (27.46), hip (24.93%), knee (19.59), and ankle (16.92%) were determined. (Reddit+6PMC+6Wikipedia+6)
Operator‑Related Risks
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Sonographers themselves often suffer work-related musculoskeletal issues, with a pooled musculoskeletal disorder prevalence of ~76%—especially neck, shoulder, and upper back
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Surveys show gaps in knowledge/practice: while most know about thermal index (TI)/mechanical index (MI) and ALARA, many do not routinely monitor these indices during scans (Reddit+6PMC+6Wikipedia+6).
Suggestions for Safer Use
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Ensure scans are medically justified and kept as short as necessary.
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Monitor thermal index (TI) and mechanical index (MI) during procedures, especially with Doppler or in early pregnancy.
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Sonographers should use ergonomic equipment and proper posture, and institutions should support training and equipment updates.
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Avoid non-medical scans, such as live “keepsake” fetal videos.
Results and Follow-Up
When should I know the results?
After the test, a radiologist (doctor who specializes in reading medical images) will review the 
ultrasound pictures. Then doctor will write a report of their findings and send it to the primary care physician (PCP).
Providers sometimes use ultrasound to diagnose potentially life-threatening conditions in an emergency. If your doctor suspects an urgent concern, you’ll get results right away.
Additional Common Questions
Can you drink water before an ultrasound of the abdomen?
It depends. Drinking small amounts of water with daily medication is usually OK. But your doctor might need you to fast for eight hours before your exam. If you’re not sure, ask your doctor what you need to do in the hours leading up to your appointment.
P. S: This article is only for doctors and students having good knowledge about Homeopathy and allopathy.
For proper consultation and treatment, please visit our clinic.
Dr. Sayyad Qaisar Ahmed (MD {Ukraine}, DHMS), Abdominal Surgeries, Oncological surgeries, Gastroenterologist, Specialist Homeopathic Medicines.
Senior research officer at Dnepropetrovsk state medical academy Ukraine.
Location: Al-Haytham clinic, Umer Farooq Chowk Risalpur Sadder (0923631023, 03119884588), K.P.K, Pakistan.
Find more about Dr Sayed Qaisar Ahmed at:
https://www.youtube.com/Dr Qaisar Ahmed