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The examination is done by a qualified ultrasound technologist
(sonographer). You will be asked to lie on the examination table
face-up. The ultrasound technologist
will apply and spread a clear gel over your skin and then presses
the transducer firmly against your body, moving it back. and forth
over the area of interest until the desired images are captured.
There is no radiation (X-ray) involved.
The radiologist, a physician, specialized in reading the images,
will analyse the images and send a signed report to your doctor,
who in turn will discuss the results with you.
When
is an Abdominal Ultrasound necessary
-
Abdominal Pains:
can be one of the symptoms associated with transient disorders
or serious disease. Making a definitive diagnosis of the cause
of abdominal pain can be difficult, because many diseases can
result in this symptom. Abdominal pain is a common problem. Most
frequently the cause is benign and/or self-limited, but more serious
causes may require urgent intervention. [1]
- Inflamed Appendix: The most
common diseases of the appendix (in humans) are appendicitis and
carcinoid tumors. Appendix cancer accounts for about 1 in 200
of all gastrointestinal malignancies. Adenomas also (rarely) present.
Appendicitis (or epityphlitis) is a condition characterized by
inflammation of the appendix. Virtually all cases of Appendicitis
require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by laparotomy
or laparoscopy. Untreated, the appendix may rupture, leading to
peritonitis, then shock, and, if continued untreated, death. Pain
often begins in the center of the abdomen where the lining of
the stomach is irritated then moves lower right as the condition
develops, it is important to note that this makes diagnoses difficult
in the early stages because only an MRI can detect it. Appendicitis
presents as pain in the right lower quadrant with rebound tenderness
(pain upon removal of pressure rather than application of pressure).
In particular, it presents at McBurney's point, 1/3 of the way
along a line drawn from the Anterior Superior Iliac Spine to the
Umbilicus. Typically, point (skin) pain is not present until the
parietal peritoneum is inflamed as well. Fever and immune system
response are also characteristic of appendicitis.
The surgical removal of the vermiform appendix is called an appendicectomy
(or appendectomy). This procedure is normally performed as an
emergency procedure, when the patient is suffering from acute
appendicitis. In the absence of surgical facilities, intravenous
antibiotics are used to delay or avoid the onset of sepsis; it
is now recognized that many cases will resolve when treated non-operatively.
In some cases the appendicitis resolves completely; more often,
an inflammatory mass forms around the appendix. This is a relative
contraindication to surgery. [2]
- Enlarged Abdominal Organ
- Stones in the Gallbladder or Kidney:
Kidney stones, also called renal calculi, are solid concretions
(crystal aggregations) of dissolved minerals in urine; calculi
typically form inside the kidneys or ureters. The terms nephrolithiasis
and urolithiasis refer to the presence of calculi in the kidneys
and urinary tract, respectively. [3]
In medicine, gallstones (choleliths) are crystalline
bodies formed within the body by accretion or concretion of normal
or abnormal bile components.
Gallstones can occur anywhere within the biliary tree, including
the gallbladder and the common bile duct. Obstruction of the common
bile duct is choledocholithiasis; obstruction of the biliary tree
can cause jaundice; obstruction of the outlet of the pancreatic
exocrine system can cause pancreatitis. Cholelithiasis is the
presence of stones in the gallbladder—chole- means "bile",
lithia means "stone", and -sis means "process".
The characteristics of gallstones are various. Independent of
appearance, however, gallstones from animals are valuable on the
market.
Gallstones can occur anywhere within the biliary tree, including
the gallbladder and the common bile duct. Obstruction of the common
bile duct is choledocholithiasis; obstruction of the biliary tree
can cause jaundice; obstruction of the outlet of the pancreatic
exocrine system can cause pancreatitis. Cholelithiasis is the
presence of stones in the gallbladder—chole- means "bile",
lithia means "stone", and -sis means "process".
The characteristics of gallstones are various. Independent of
appearance, however, gallstones from animals are valuable on the
market.[4]
- An Aneurysm in the Aorta: An
aneurysm (or aneurism) is a localized, blood-filled dilation (bulge)
of a blood vessel caused by disease or weakening of the vessel
wall.[1] Aneurysms most commonly occur in arteries at the base
of the brain (the circle of Willis) and in the aorta (the main
artery coming out of the heart), a so-called aortic aneurysm.
The bulge in a blood vessel can burst and lead to death at any
time. The larger an aneurysm becomes, the more likely it is to
burst. Aneurysms can usually be treated [5]
[1] Abdominal
pain (last visited Nov. 25, 2007).
[2] Vermiform
appendix (last visited Nov. 25, 2007).
[3] Kidney
Stone, (last visited Nov. 25, 2007).
[4]
Gallstone, (last visited Nov. 25, 2007
[5]
Aneurysm, (last visited Nov. 25, 2007
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