Pancreas assessment
The gland lies behind the stomach, so the quality of the examination depends on the preparation - gases can cover the tail; the doctor evaluates the head, body and tail, diffuse changes (swelling in acute pancreatitis, induration and calcifications in chronic pancreatitis), dilation of the duct more than 2-3 mm, pseudocysts after pancreatitis, hypoechoic formations of the head (require immediate further examination with MSCT with contrast - exclusion of a tumor, especially with jaundice and weight loss). Ultrasound is a screening method: any focal findings are clarified by tomography.
Indications
- pain in the right hypochondrium, heaviness after eating, bitterness in the mouth;
- suspicion of gallstones, cholecystitis, polyps;
- hepatitis, fatty hepatosis, cirrhosis - liver structure and control;
- pancreatitis, cysts and formations of the pancreas;
- enlarged spleen, abdominal trauma, preventive examination.
Why ultrasound
Ultrasound is a safe imaging method without radiation: suitable for children, pregnant women and for repeated monitoring. The doctor sees organs in real time, assesses their structure, size and blood flow (in Doppler mode), and a conclusion with measurements is issued immediately after the study. The information content depends on the training and experience of the specialist; In the clinics below, ultrasound examinations are performed by ultrasound diagnostic doctors using expert-class devices.
