Abdominal Ultrasound

An abdominal ultrasound is a noninvasive imaging test that evaluates the organs in your abdomen. UltraSound Associates USA, LLC, in Houston, Texas, uses the latest imaging technology to perform abdominal ultrasounds so that patients and their health care providers get accurate results. They complete reports on ultrasound findings within 24 hours. Call today or schedule your abdominal ultrasound online.

What is an abdominal ultrasound?

An abdominal ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound wave technology to evaluate the organs in your abdomen. During the test, the ultrasound technician at Ultrasound Associates USA, LLC uses a transducer to capture images.

A transducer is a hand-held device the technician places on your abdomen to send sound waves into your body. The sound waves create an echo when they reach your organs.

The echo returns to the transducer, transmitting the information to a computer that translates the sound into moving images of your internal body parts. The doctor views the images on a computer monitor.

I’m not pregnant. Why would I need an abdominal ultrasound?

An abdominal ultrasound is the primary ultrasound test during pregnancy. However, there are many reasons why you might need an abdominal ultrasound. This test is used to evaluate many organs, including your:

• Gallbladder
• Liver
• Pancreas
• Spleen
• Kidneys

The abdominal ultrasound also looks at major blood vessels in the area, including the inferior vena cava (the vein that carries blood from the lower extremities back to the heart) and the aorta (the major artery outside the heart).

The abdominal ultrasound is also used for OB/GYN ultrasounds during pregnancy and for evaluation of reproductive organ health.

The imaging test evaluates organs and helps diagnose health conditions like gallstones, pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas), and cancerous tumors.

What does an abdominal ultrasound feel like?

An abdominal ultrasound is painless and takes only a few minutes. Arrive for your test at Ultrasound Associates USA, LLC, dressed in loose, comfortable clothing.

The technician applies a gel to your abdomen and presses the transducer against your skin, moving the hand-held device around your abdomen to get the desired pictures. You could feel some pressure from the transducer but no pain.

Abdominal ultrasound imaging at Ultrasound Associates USA, LLC takes about 30 minutes, sometimes less.

What happens after an abdominal ultrasound?

After your abdominal ultrasound at Ultrasound Associates USA, LLC, you can resume your usual activities. Your provider who requested the imaging should receive their report of the test within 24 hours.

Call UltraSound Associates USA, LLC, today or book an appointment online.