abdomen and pelvic ultrasound , pathology and indication, patient preparation, positioning, indication , scanning technique

1. Ultrasound Abdomen And Pelvis
BY: AALIA ABDULLAH
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR RADIOLOGY & IMAGING
MEWAR UNIVERSITY RAJASTHAN

2. Abdominal Ultrasound:
Pathology And Indications:
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (Enlargement Of Your Abdominal Aorta).
Kidney Stones.
Kidney Cancer.
Bladder Stones.
Gallstones.
Cholecystitis (Gallbladder Inflammation).
Liver Disease.
Kidney Disease.

4. Evaluate abdominal pain or discomfort.
Assess liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, and kidneys for abnormalities, such as tumors, cysts, or
stones.
Detect and evaluate abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Examine the gastrointestinal tract for issues like appendicitis or bowel obstructions.
Assess blood flow in the major abdominal blood vessels.

6. Patient Preparation:
Fasting: Patients may be asked to fast for a certain period before an abdominal ultrasound, especially
if the gallbladder is being evaluated. This ensures a clear view of the organs. Patient should be NPO
for 4-6 hours prior to study
• ER/INPATIENTS: Fasting not needed given urgency of exam. Follow up imaging may be required
if area of interest obscured by bowel gas, gallbladder distention is needed, etc.
Full Bladder: For pelvic ultrasounds, female patients may be asked to drink water and have a full
bladder, which can help visualize pelvic structures better.
Comfortable Clothing: Patients should wear loose-fitting clothing that can be easily moved aside to
expose the abdomen or pelvis.
Inform the Technician: It's essential for patients to inform the ultrasound technician or radiologist
about any relevant medical history, previous surgeries, or pregnancies.

7. Positioning:
Abdominal Ultrasound:
The patient usually lies flat on their back on an examination table.
The technician may ask the patient to lift their shirt and expose the abdomen.
A gel is applied to the skin in the abdominal area to allow for better sound wave transmission.

9. Pelvic Ultrasound:
Depending on the specific examination (transabdominal or transvaginal), the patient may need
to empty their bladder or have a full bladder.
For a transabdominal pelvic ultrasound, the patient lies on their back with a full bladder.
For a transvaginal pelvic ultrasound, a specialized probe is inserted into the vagina, and the
patient may be asked to lie on their back with knees bent.

11. Pathologies
Pelvic pathologies may present with abdominal mass or pelvic mass.
The patients with abdominal mass may present with abdominal pain, ascites, or
palpable mass, which on bimanual pelvic examination and sonography may be
revealed of pelvic origin.
Pelvic masses are not palpable, and patients with pelvic masses usually present
with abdominal pain, dysmenorrhea, or menstrual complaints.

13. indications
Evaluate gynecological conditions in women, including ovarian cysts, fibroids,
and uterine abnormalities.
Monitor pregnancy and assess fetal development.
Assess the bladder for issues like urinary retention or tumors.
Evaluate the prostate and seminal vesicles in men.
Investigate pelvic pain or abnormal bleeding.

14. Scanning Technique:
Transducer Selection: The ultrasound technician selects the appropriate transducer
(probe) based on the patient's anatomy and the specific examination required. For
abdominal and pelvic ultrasound, a curvilinear or phased array transducer is
commonly used.
Image Acquisition: The transducer is moved gently over the skin in the designated area
while continuously emitting sound waves. The echoes produced by the sound waves
bouncing off internal structures create real-time images on a monitor.

15. Adjusting Settings: The technician can adjust various settings, such as frequency
and depth, to optimize image quality and focus on specific structures.
Documentation: Images and video clips are captured to document the findings.
Interpretation: A radiologist or healthcare provider interprets the images to
make a diagnosis or assess the condition being evaluated.

16. The entire procedure is typically painless and non-invasive, and it can take
anywhere from 15 minutes to 45 minutes, depending on the complexity of the
examination.
Afterward, the gel is wiped off the skin, and the patient can usually resume
normal activities. The results are discussed with the patient by a healthcare
provider at a later time.