How to prepare for an ultrasound of the abdominal organs (AUS): do you need a diet, can you eat before the examination? What should be the preparation for an ultrasound scan of the liver and how is the study done? Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity with an empty stomach

Ultrasound of the stomach is a type of echography that helps assess the condition of this organ. The question is often asked: “Do they do ultrasound of the stomach?” Rarely, but still they do it. Some patients undergo it with some discomfort in the upper abdomen, as the first step in examining the gastrointestinal tract.

This method is more comfortable than gastroscopy, but, unfortunately, less effective, since not all pathology is visible during the study, and there is no possibility of histological verification of the diagnosis, that is, it is impossible to perform a biopsy and find out the nature of the changes. Ultrasound of the stomach is often performed in children for primary diagnosis.

Indications for the procedure

• gastritis, ulcerative lesions of the mucous membrane
• suspected cancer
• pyloroduodenal stenosis is a pronounced narrowing of the pylorus
• intestinal obstruction (this requires an ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract as a whole)
• anomalies of embryonic development and structure.

How to prepare for an ultrasound examination of the stomach

1. Follow a diet for about two days before the procedure. You should not eat foods that cause gas ( Rye bread, peas, beans, cabbage, kefir, carbonated mineral water, fresh fruits and vegetables)
2. The last meal on the day preceding the study, no later than seven to eight o’clock in the evening
3. On the morning of the ultrasound of the stomach and intestines, do not eat, drink or smoke. Although, as an exception, patients with severe hunger pains are allowed to drink half a glass of tea and eat a cracker.

Such simple preparation for an ultrasound of the stomach will allow the doctor to thoroughly examine the organ.

How research is done

Sonography (ultrasound) is performed on an empty stomach. The patient either lies on his back or takes a semi-sitting position. The doctor places the sensor in the epigastric region, and from the position of the sensor, either the anterior and posterior walls, or the lesser and greater curvature can be visualized simultaneously.

Normally, there is a small amount of fluid in the stomach on ultrasound. During the procedure, the shape of the organ, its position, as well as the thickness of its walls and the presence of deformities are assessed.

Read also:

All the intricacies of preparing and undergoing an ultrasound scan of the pancreas

Although ultrasound is performed on an empty stomach, sometimes contrast agents are used for better visualization, for example, Ekhovist-200, diluted with sparkling water in the amount of five hundred milliliters.

What does an ultrasound scan of the stomach show?

Scanning of this organ is usually performed as part of a comprehensive examination of the abdominal organs.

What will a normal stomach ultrasound show?

1. Sections of the organ look like oval or round ring-shaped formations with an echo-negative rim and an echo-positive center.
2. The wall thickness ranges from 4-6 mm in the proximal sections to 6-8 in the pyloric section.
3. The wall has five layers that differ in echogenicity.
4. The outer serosa is hyperechoic.
5. The muscular layer is hypoechoic, 2-2.5 cm in size.
6. The submucosa has medium echogenicity and a thickness of up to 3 mm.
7. The muscularis propria of the mucosa has low hypoechogenicity and a thickness of up to 1 millimeter.
8. The mucous membrane is up to 1.5 mm in size and hyperechoic.
9. A glass of liquid is evacuated in approximately 20 minutes, while the time for primary evacuation is normally approximately 3 minutes.
10. The patient is turned onto the right side to assess peristalsis.
11. All layers of the gastric wall should be differentiated; this is an important point in the diagnosis of tumors.
12. It is important to evaluate not the thickness of the walls, but their uniformity.
13. Ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract evaluates the condition of the surrounding tissues: lymphatic vessels and nodes, as well as the liver and pancreas.

Possible pathologies

1. An ultrasound of the esophagus and stomach can diagnose gastroesophageal reflux. The main condition for this is the presence of fluid in the cardiac zone. Several turns of the body provoke a reverse cast. In this case, the fluid returning to the esophagus is visualized as an anechoic column. The result is quite accurate and comparable in value to barium X-ray of the gastrointestinal tract.
2. A diaphragmatic hernia is detected only when there is fluid in the organ cavity; its size cannot be assessed.
3. Cysts are found extremely rarely and consist of two layers: an echogenic internal mucous membrane and a hypoechoic muscular external one.
4. Ultrasound of the stomach in a child often reveals hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, characterized by thickening of the pyloric muscle ring.

Update: October 2018

The possibilities of ultrasound examination are very wide. Ultrasound is especially informative abdominal cavity, in which vital human organs are localized - the abdominal aorta, liver, spleen, gallbladder, pancreas, etc.

Thanks to a routine preventive examination, recommended once a year, there is a high probability of diagnosis and prevention further development diseases at an early stage.

As a rule, patients agree to this type of study because it is painless and does not pose any health risks. Ultrasound allows you to determine with very high accuracy the size, shape, location and structure of the abdominal organs, the condition of the vessels and ducts.

Focal formations are easily visualized by ultrasound, such as liver, tumor metastasis, cysts, abscesses, hematomas, adenomas, and stones. But confirmation of the diagnosis, especially oncopathology, is possible only after histological examination of the tissue. Even small amounts of free fluid (from 100 ml) in the abdominal cavity are diagnosed by ultrasound. We will talk about what is included in an abdominal ultrasound, how to properly prepare for it and how the study is done in our article.

Symptoms for which abdominal ultrasound is indicated

• , hypersalivation
• heaviness in the right hypochondrium
• bursting and nagging pain in the epigastrium after eating
• pain in the abdominal area of ​​​​various types
• increased gas formation

Diseases for which ultrasound of the PD is necessary

Ultrasound is indicated in the presence or suspicion of the following diseases:

• pancreatitis
• hepatitis
• cholecystitis
• cysts in PD organs
• kidney and gallstones
• neoplasms of PD organs

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.

Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity - preparing the child

• 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.

When should you not perform an ultrasound?

• After fluoroscopy of the gastrointestinal tract using contrast (irrigoscopy, gastrography).
• After endoscopy of the gastrointestinal tract (fibrogastroduodenoscopy).
• 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.

How is ultrasound performed?

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.

Description of the procedure

How is an abdominal ultrasound performed? 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 call out numbers, medical terms, which the nurse enters into the protocol. Immediately after the ultrasound, you can eat and lead a normal lifestyle without restrictions.

What is included in the examination - the organs examined and ultrasound capabilities

• 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.

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, gallbladder, 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.

Ultrasound signs of some diseases

How is an abdominal ultrasound done: on an empty stomach or not? This question interests patients. Ultrasound examination is an accessible examination method that allows one to obtain reliable data on the presence of diseases of internal organs. Some organs are difficult to examine due to the presence of gas formations in them. For this purpose, special preparatory diets are prescribed before diagnosis. Obtaining the most accurate results depends on the correctness of the preparatory process.

What is examined during an abdominal ultrasound?

Ultrasound diagnostics are prescribed to study diseases of internal systems:

• the abdominal cavity as a whole;
• liver, biliary tract;
• pancreas;
• kidneys and genitourinary system;
• prostate gland (in men), pelvic organs (in women).

The following data is received:

1. When examining the liver, data is obtained on its size, uniformity of structure, and changes in blood flow.
2. By examining the bile ducts and gallbladder, the patency of the ducts, the presence of stones and seals in the cavity, and size are determined.
3. Difficulty in examining the pancreas can be caused by gases in the stomach. When diagnosing, determine the size, uniformity connective tissue, diffuse changes.
4. Ultrasound examination of the kidneys and peritoneal area determines the location, structure, presence of stones and seals, the structure of connective tissues, and various pathological processes.

Why is an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and kidneys prescribed? Ultrasound analysis is prescribed for certain symptoms associated with diseases of internal organs:

1. Acute pain in the abdominal cavity, suspicion of appendicitis.
2. Chronic belching, accompanied by a bitter sensation in the mouth.
3. Change in the color of the outer skin.
4. With difficulty urinating with pain.
5. After injuries.
6. Before operations performed in the peritoneal region on the abdominal organs.

What should be the diet before an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and kidneys? To obtain accurate ultrasound results, you should prepare for the analysis several days in advance. First of all, it is necessary to stop consuming foods that are actively involved in gas formation. Therefore, you should not eat before an ultrasound of the abdominal organs:

• dairy and fermented milk products, which undergo fermentation in the stomach and cause increased gas formation;
• Among berries and fruits, it is not recommended to eat apples, pears, cherries, grapes, peaches;
• limit consumption bakery products, it is preferable to eat bread made from white flour;
• food should not contain legumes;
• You should not eat vegetable dishes such as cabbage, potatoes, or asparagus before an ultrasound; they contain a large amount of polysaccharides;
• You should not eat fatty foods; spices and seasonings should be excluded from daily use;
• Carbonated and alcoholic drinks, coffee, tea are irritating to the stomach.

What can you eat before an abdominal ultrasound? What should be the diet during abdominal ultrasound? Be sure to include in your daily diet:

• porridge cooked in water;
• dietary varieties of meat and fish;
• you can eat cheeses with a fat content of no more than 35%;
• chicken or quail eggs.

Be sure to drink still water throughout the day (at least 1.5 liters).

How is an abdominal examination performed?

The day before the examination, you can do a cleansing enema or drink activated charcoal. If the ultrasound analysis is scheduled for the morning, then food intake cannot be later than 19.00 the previous evening. Is it possible to drink water before an abdominal ultrasound? Before examining the kidneys and pelvic organs, it is recommended to drink 1 liter of water. If other organs are being diagnosed, you should not drink the water. If an ultrasound of the abdominal area is scheduled for daytime, then a light breakfast is possible until 10.00 am. Maintain drinking regime.

Ultrasound examination is considered the most informative way of diagnosing various diseases. But in order for the examination results to be as accurate as possible, doctors recommend following certain requirements for preparing for an ultrasound. It is important to exclude products that contribute to increased gas formation, since gases do not make it possible to fully examine the abdominal organs.

It should be remembered that the examination is done on an empty stomach. You must have a liter bottle of still water at your appointment. If your doctor recommends, drink water immediately before the procedure.

In this article I want to talk about proper preparation before examining the abdominal organs.

After all, if you come unprepared for the procedure, the quality of monitoring will be low and the results will not be reliable.

Therefore, I decided to write this material. Save it to your bookmarks so as not to lose it.

• Remember! The procedure should be carried out on an empty stomach. This means that you should not eat, drink water or drink other liquids 8-12 hours before your appointment. In response to the production of gastric juice, the gallbladder contracts and releases bile. It is pointless to examine this organ in a half-empty or empty state - its structure, contents and shape are visualized only under conditions of full filling.
• The opinions of specialists on the optimal time for the procedure vary - some gastroenterologists insist on the morning hours of examination, since this ensures the maximum interval between food intake and ultrasound. In addition, in the afternoon, due to the reflex secretion of a small amount of hydrochloric acid by the stomach, the gallbladder contracts even in the absence of the usual diet, which is the main argument in favor of morning ultrasound procedures. Other doctors allow the study to be carried out in the afternoon - if lung condition early breakfast and subsequent refusal to eat until the end of the manipulation.
• People who smoke should abstain from cigarettes before the procedure. Nicotine can also cause partial contraction of the gallbladder.
• Before visiting a doctor, you should not chew gum - the secretion of gastric juice stimulates the contraction of the gallbladder.
• If you are taking medications, you should check the timing of the ultrasound. Ideal option is taking medications at the end of the early study procedure. Otherwise, the interval between taking medications and the examination should be at least 6–8 hours. If you are taking medications that stimulate the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, the need to take them on the eve of the ultrasound should be agreed with your doctor.
• It is prohibited to take antispasmodics and painkillers until the end of the ultrasound examination.

Cannot be performed after certain diagnostic procedures (on the same day):

• Endoscopic studies (FGDS, colonoscopy) - air entering the stomach and intestines during manipulation makes it difficult to perform ultrasound and monitor the gastrointestinal tract. An ultrasound scan is allowed only 1–2 days after the examination.
• X-ray contrast studies (irrigoscopy, gastrophagia, CT or MRI with contrast) - a contrast agent, visualized on an ultrasound machine, distorts the observation picture. It takes about 2-3 days for the contrast agent to be removed, after which an ultrasound of the internal organs can be performed.

Diet before ultrasound of the abdominal organs

The goal of the diet before an ultrasound is to minimize the intensity of fermentation processes in the intestines. Air is a kind of barrier to the propagation of ultrasound, and accumulations of gases can significantly impede the transfer of accurate information to the sensor from the organ being examined.

In this case, the specialist has the right to postpone the procedure to another day, due to additional preparation of the patient’s intestines, or carry out monitoring, the accuracy of which will be very questionable.

During the diet, foods that increase gas formation should be excluded from the diet:

• vegetables and fruits;
• legumes;
• milk and fermented milk products;
• flour products and sweets (bread, muffins, cookies, candies, gingerbreads, etc.);
• fatty meat dishes;
• fatty fish;
• carbonated drinks, juices, compotes;
• alcohol.

Products allowed for consumption and forming the basis of dietary nutrition on the eve of the study:

• water-based cereal porridges (oatmeal, buckwheat, pearl barley, millet, barley, wheat, rice);
• lean meat (lean beef, chicken, turkey, rabbit);
• lean fish (cod, flounder, hake, pollock, haddock, sea bass, pike, river perch);
• eggs (no more than 1 piece per day);
• hard cheeses;
• Potatoes, beets, carrots are allowed in boiled(if there is no individual reaction).

Of course, the above products should not be consumed fried. Nutritionists recommend steaming, boiling, stewing or baking dishes.

It is necessary to adhere to the principle of regular fractional meals - 4-5 times a day, every 3-4 hours, in small portions. Dinner should be light, preferably no later than 4 hours before going to bed.

Taking medications for abdominal ultrasound

Patients with gastrointestinal disorders often require additional drug preparation for the study.

If you are prone to flatulence, you are prescribed to take special medications that reduce gas formation (Espumizan, Meteospasmil, Spasm Simplex and their analogues) or enterosorbents (activated carbon, Enterosgel, Polysorb, Polyphepan, etc.) within 3 days before the procedure.

As an alternative, the doctor may prescribe taking enzymes (Mezim-Forte, Festal, Creon, Pancreatin) for 2-3 days before the test to degas the intestines.

Colon cleansing before abdominal ultrasound

If the patient has irregular bowel movements or chronic constipation, complete bowel movements must be achieved before the ultrasound examination.

• For constipation, it is recommended to take a laxative on the eve of the ultrasound (laxative mixture, Guttalax, Fitolax, etc.) or use suppositories that facilitate bowel movements (Glycerax, Bisacodyl, glycerin suppositories, etc.).
• The use of intensive bowel cleansing drugs such as Fortrans and Endofalk before ultrasound procedures is not recommended by doctors.
• As an alternative to laxatives, an enema is sometimes used (for example, if it was not possible to fully empty the intestines in the morning) with 1–1.5 liters of water at room temperature.

Forced bowel cleansing is not at all necessary if the person being examined has regular bowel movements - in this case, natural bowel movements are sufficient.

Immediately before the ultrasound procedure, it is necessary to inform the functional diagnostics specialist about existing diseases and medicines currently accepted.