Abdominal Ultrasound: A Safe, Comprehensive Look at Your Internal Organs

At Independent Physicians Medical Center (IPMC) in Northeast Philadelphia, we offer abdominal ultrasound imaging in a comfortable, private outpatient setting with experienced sonographers and board-certified radiologists.

What Does an Abdominal Ultrasound Examine?

A complete abdominal ultrasound evaluates the following organs and structures:

Liver. Size, echogenicity (brightness), surface smoothness, and internal structures. The sonographer looks for fatty liver, cysts, masses, cirrhosis, and vascular abnormalities.

Gallbladder and bile ducts. Checking for gallstones, wall thickening, sludge, polyps, and bile duct dilation.

Pancreas. Size, texture, and any masses, cysts, or duct dilation (visualization may be limited by bowel gas in some patients).

Spleen. Size and internal structure. An enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) may indicate liver disease, blood disorders, or infection.

Kidneys (both). Size, shape, cortical thickness, presence of stones, cysts, masses, hydronephrosis, and blood flow.

Abdominal aorta. Diameter is measured to screen for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), especially in men over 65 with a smoking history.

A right upper quadrant (RUQ) ultrasound is a focused version that primarily evaluates the gallbladder, bile ducts, liver, and right kidney — commonly ordered for right-sided abdominal pain.

Why Would Your Doctor Order an Abdominal Ultrasound?

Common indications include:

• Abdominal pain — the most common reason, particularly right upper quadrant pain (gallstones), epigastric pain (pancreas, stomach), or flank pain (kidneys)
• Nausea, vomiting, or bloating associated with eating
• Abnormal blood test results — elevated liver enzymes, bilirubin, amylase/lipase, or kidney function markers
• Suspected gallstones — ultrasound is the gold standard (95%+ accuracy)
• Liver disease evaluation — fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis screening
• Kidney stones, cysts, or masses
• Unexplained weight loss, jaundice, or fevers
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening (recommended for men 65-75 who have ever smoked)
• Monitoring known conditions — tracking cysts, masses, or other findings over time
• Pre-operative evaluation for abdominal surgery

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How to Prepare

Fasting is required for a complete abdominal ultrasound or any exam that includes the gallbladder. You’ll typically need to fast for 8 to 12 hours (usually overnight). This keeps the gallbladder distended with bile and reduces intestinal gas, both of which significantly improve image quality. You can usually take medications with a small sip of water.

For kidney-only or aorta-only ultrasounds, fasting may not be necessary. Our scheduling team will provide specific instructions.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing. You may be asked to change into a gown.

What Happens During the Exam?

You’ll lie on your back on a padded exam table. The sonographer applies gel to your abdomen and systematically scans each organ using a transducer. You may be asked to take deep breaths (which pushes abdominal organs down for better visualization), roll onto your side, or change positions during the exam. The sonographer captures still images and video clips of each organ.

The exam typically takes 20 to 30 minutes for a complete study. It is painless, though you may feel mild pressure in tender areas.

After Your Abdominal Ultrasound

You can eat, drink, and resume normal activities immediately. A board-certified radiologist reviews all images and prepares a comprehensive report. Results are typically available within 24 to 48 hours. Your doctor will contact you to discuss the findings and any recommended next steps.