Why are they watched together?
This is the most common diagnostic package for abdominal pain, heaviness after eating, changes in tests and during preventive examinations. The abdominal organs and kidneys are examined using one access and in one preparation, so the combination saves time and money. The doctor evaluates the size and structure of the liver, the presence of stones and polyps in the gall bladder, the condition of the pancreas, spleen, as well as the size, position and structure of the kidneys, the presence of stones and expansion of the collecting system. The study is performed on an empty stomach: the last meal is 6–8 hours before, gas-forming foods are excluded the day before.
Why ultrasound is the first line method
Ultrasound does not use ionizing radiation, is fast, inexpensive, and provides images in real time. Therefore, it begins with the diagnosis of most diseases of internal organs, thyroid and mammary glands, blood vessels, joints and soft tissues.
A separate advantage is the ability to evaluate not only structure, but also movement: blood flow in the vessels, heart contractions, peristalsis, and fetal movements. Neither CT nor MRI in standard mode show this.
Ultrasound modes
- B-mode - a conventional two-dimensional gray scale image of the organ structure
- Dopplerography - assessment of the speed and direction of blood flow in the vessels
- duplex scanning - a combination of vessel imaging and blood flow analysis
- 4D - volumetric image in real time
What influences the quality of research
Ultrasound does not pass through air and does not pass well through dense bone tissue. Therefore, gases in the intestines interfere with examination of the pancreas, and the lungs and brain of an adult are inaccessible for examination. This explains the preparation requirements: diet and fasting study significantly improve visualization.
The second important factor is the doctor: ultrasound diagnostics largely depends on the experience of the specialist, since the image is assessed at the time of the examination.