Abdominal Ultrasound in Colorado
Visualize Organs With an Ultrasound of the Abdomen
Your physician may order an abdominal ultrasound to get a detailed look at the abdominal organs, including the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. Although the vascular system is not functionally related to the abdominal organs, the abdominal aorta passes through the abdomen and is considered a part of abdominal imaging.
Ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of abdominal organs and helps to characterize findings as normal or abnormal. It is the first medical diagnostic radiology imaging tool to evaluate the liver, kidney, or pancreas when laboratory tests are abnormal. The imaging test can also assess your clinician's findings on a clinical examination, such as a large abdominal aorta or an enlarged liver.
What Can Abdominal Ultrasound Detect?
Abdominal ultrasound helps radiologists assess the health of the organs in the abdomen and can detect various issues and conditions, including:
Liver cysts
Liver hemangiomas
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
Hydronephrosis
Kidney masses
Hepatitis
Cirrhosis
Pancreatic masses
Kidney stones
Gallbladder stones
Spleen calcifications
Fatty liver
Radiologists use ultrasound to examine various masses that can occur on abdominal organs. Most masses of the liver are benign. The most common liver mass is a vascular tangle called a hemangioma. The kidney may contain benign masses like angiomyolipomas or renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The pancreas may harbor small, subtle masses which are difficult to detect clinically. Pancreatic masses may occur in the pancreatic head, where the lesions may produce symptoms, or in the tail, which rarely produces symptoms until later.
Ultrasound is also used as a follow-up test. If a patient is jaundiced or laboratory enzymes are increased, ultrasound can be used to detect gallstones or pancreatitis. Both conditions can show similar symptoms or have similar abnormal laboratory results. If your liver function tests (LFTs) are abnormal, ultrasound can assess if the liver looks anatomically normal, appears inflamed, or contains masses.
Our Approach to Abdominal Imaging
We specialize in all these processes and work closely with other specialists such as gastroenterologists (GI specialists), genetic counselors, nephrologists (kidney specialists), or surgeons in a multi-disciplinary fashion.
What to Expect During an Abdominal Ultrasound
Abdominal ultrasound helps us examine the health of many abdominal organs, allowing us to evaluate potential issues and assess if further testing or treatment is recommended.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Abdominal Ultrasounds
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Abdominal Ultrasound Near Me
With multiple location across the Denver area, we make it easy for you to find a “Women’s Imaging Center near me” or a “Medical Diagnostic Imaging Center near me”
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