Abdominal Ultrasound

Ultrasound uses the same sound-wave-based technology as prenatal sonograms and depth finders on boats. A small device that looks like a microphone, called a transducer or probe, directs ultrasound waves into the body. The sound waves, which are inaudible to the human ear, travel into the body and bounce back to a receiver, called an echocardiograph. The returning sound waves are analyzed by a computer to generate images that can be viewed on a video screen; in this case, the images depict the abdomen and urinary tract.

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Preparation for an ultrasound is straightforward and usually involves drinking four to six glasses of liquid about an hour before the test to fill your bladder and abstaining from food for eight to 12 hours before the test to avoid gas buildup in the intestines. Prior to the exam, you will be asked to remove all your clothing and jewelry and change into a gown. A technician applies a watery gel to the abdomen and then slides the transducer across the abdomen to scan the urinary tract. The procedure usually lasts about 15 to 30 minutes. Most patients say the procedure is painless, although some report slight discomfort from the pressure of the transducer on the abdomen.