How to prepare for an ultrasound of internal organs

What internal organs are examined?

During an abdominal ultrasound, the following organs are examined:

• liver;
• gallbladder and bile ducts;
• spleen;
• stomach;
• small or large intestine;
• pancreas.

In addition to the digestive system, during the study, large vessels (abdominal aorta, portal vein of the liver), and lymph nodes are examined. Sometimes the diagnosis is supplemented by examination of the kidneys, adrenal glands and organs of the female reproductive system (uterus and its appendages).

Principle of nutrition before the procedure in adults

The presence of food masses in the stomach and intestines significantly reduces the effectiveness of diagnostics. Therefore, all adult patients are advised to refrain from eating 6-8 hours before the ultrasound .

It is also necessary to take into account that increased gas formation in the intestines negatively affects information content. Therefore, patients with this problem (mostly elderly people with chronic pathologies) are prescribed a diet for several days. All products that may contribute to the formation of gases are removed.

Help You can learn in detail about the diet before an abdominal ultrasound from a separate article, where we looked at what you can and cannot eat before the procedure and gave an example of a menu for three days.

No attention is paid to nutrition before an ultrasound if the patient needs an examination as soon as possible (for example, with acute abdominal pain). If you delay time in such a situation, it can negatively affect the patient’s health.

Tests before dental implantation

But here there may be options. Ideally, it is necessary to collect a number of tests:

• General blood analysis
• General urine analysis
• Blood chemistry
• Test for HIV and syphilis
• Hepatitis C test
• Fluorography
• Blood glucose test

As you can see, there are quite a few, and these are only mandatory tests. However, many doctors believe that there is no point in just doing tests and often the tests described above are not done. Implantation techniques and medications used are being improved every year. Therefore, the number of contraindications is becoming less and less.

Another factor in completing a large number of tests is whether the clinic has its own laboratory or a mutually beneficial partnership with a third-party laboratory, where patients are sent for tests.

In any case, taking tests will not cause harm, it will simply require certain time and financial costs. Therefore, many doctors still believe that it is better to get tested - it won’t get worse.

Some doctors do not see the point in mandatory conduct of all analytical studies, but professionally highlight only the necessary ones. Correctly selected tests and correctly interpreted results allow you to optimally select the implant material to eliminate the risk of rejection.

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Mandatory tests for females:

• free T3 and T4;
• TSH (sensitive);
• parathyroid hormone;
• estradiol

The appointment of additional tests depends on your health condition. Examples of additional research:

• diabetes mellitus - analysis of the amount of glucose in the blood;
• history of allergic reactions - a visit to an allergist, allergy tests;
• diagnosed cardiovascular diseases - consultation with a cardiologist.

In order for the examination results to be accurate, it is important to adhere to certain rules. Some types of tests are taken only on an empty stomach, and no less than 12 hours after eating. You can only drink water.

Due to changes in blood parameters, it is recommended to take tests in the morning. It is for taking tests in the morning that laboratory standards are provided. The test results are certified by a seal on a special form.

Taking medications

Before the study, the following drugs are prescribed:

1. Sorbents (activated carbon, Smecta) are a group of medications that are capable of absorbing and removing toxic substances and gases from the lumen of the digestive system. Prescribed if the patient has a tendency to flatulence, on the day of the ultrasound. It must be taken into account that they contribute to the development of constipation.
2. Espumisan (simethicone) is a pharmacological agent that is used for increased gas formation in the intestines. After use, simethicone destroys air bubbles, which facilitates its removal from the digestive tract. Appointed on the day of the study.
3. Laxatives. In some patients with chronic constipation, stool fills the lumen of almost all parts of the large intestine. This reduces the transmission of ultrasonic waves, which worsens the quality of diagnosis. Therefore, they are preliminarily (24 hours before) prescribed laxatives (macrogol), which help to completely cleanse the digestive tract.
4. Analgesics and antispasmodics. Patients with gastrointestinal problems often experience pain, sometimes of a spastic nature (for example, with cholelithiasis or intestinal colic). To reduce it, adequate pain relief is necessary before the procedure. For this purpose, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, paracetamol) and/or antispasmodics (drotaverine) are given 30-40 minutes before the start.
5. Other medications. Sometimes additional medicinal preparation of the patient is required. For epilepsy, anticonvulsants are prescribed, and for severe fear, sedatives are prescribed.

Quite often, patients ask the doctor whether it is necessary to do a cleansing enema before an ultrasound of the abdominal organs. If you plan to carry out a standard diagnostic procedure ( through the anterior wall of the abdomen ), then there is little point in doing it.

The fact is that during an enema, feces are removed only from the rectum and sigmoid colon , which does not particularly affect the information content of the examination of other areas of the digestive system. It is rational to do it if a transrectal (through the rectum) ultrasound or endoscopic examinations (colonoscopy, irigoscopy) are planned.

When and why is it necessary to perform oral sanitation?

A certificate from a dentist regarding oral hygiene will be required under the following circumstances:

• employment in an official position;
• preparation for surgery;
• registration of the child in educational institutions and health organizations;
• military service;
• work in hazardous production;
• travel for work for a long period.

After treatment, the dentist issues a form (sample below) stating that the oral cavity has been sanitized.

A consultation with a dentist will be required before surgery for implantation and, if necessary, prosthetics. This is necessary to be able to install a prosthesis without consequences. If there are inflammatory diseases or carious cavities, the orthopedic design will not last long, constantly causing pain.

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Therapeutic sanitation of the oral cavity before prosthetics includes:

• removal of supragingival and subgingival dental plaque;
• polishing teeth and applying varnishes containing calcium and fluoride;
• removal of carious lesions followed by filling;
• depulpation of teeth (according to indications, depending on the type of prosthetics).

Surgical preparation includes:

• removal of teeth that are not subject to therapeutic treatment;
• removal of cysts, osteophytes;
• implantation;
• complex treatment of severe dental anomalies;
• removal of hypertrophied tissues;
• carrying out sinus lifting.

Orthodontic preparation includes:

• restoration of the normal position of the teeth, which will later become supporting teeth, using braces or plates;
• creating a place in the oral cavity for fixing the prosthesis.

Orthopedic training includes:

• production of mouth guards and plates to correct the position of teeth;
• production of functional mouth guards to relax the masticatory muscles.

How should a woman prepare for an examination?

Menstruation or the monthly cycle also do not affect the information content of the examination of the digestive system. However, they are important if additional routine diagnostics of the uterus and its appendages (pelvic ultrasound) is planned. It is recommended to carry out it on days 5-7 of the cycle (in the stage of early proliferation), when changes in the walls of organs are most easily detected.

An ultrasound also does not require a woman to stop breastfeeding. Ultrasonic waves do not affect the activity of lactation, the quality and quantity of milk.

Often pregnant patients are afraid to undergo abdominal ultrasound because they believe that it can harm the development of their child. But numerous studies have shown this statement to be incorrect. On the contrary, ultrasound imaging methods are called the safest for the expectant mother, since they do not carry an ionizing or magnetic resonance load.

Reference In 2009, an analysis was carried out of 55 studies from different countries of the world, which monitored children during pregnancy and after birth until the age of 8-9 years. The authors (Laura Houston, Antony Odido, George Macones) concluded that ultrasound during pregnancy does not affect the development of the child or the presence of health problems. On the contrary, it promotes early diagnosis of diseases, which reduces mortality and miscarriage rates (https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/pd.2392)

Ultrasound as a method for determining fluid behind the uterus

Ultrasound examination is one of the most accessible and reliable methods with which you can detect even a small amount of fluid in the pelvic cavity. On the ultrasound scanner screen, liquid formations behind the uterus appear black or dark gray in color, often in the form of a narrow strip if its quantity is small. When there is a large amount, it spreads between organs and takes on an irregular shape.

Free fluid in the retrouterine space

It is impossible to determine the exact amount of fluid behind the uterus in milliliters using this method due to the fact that the fluid spreads between the folds of the peritoneum and organs and does not take on any strict form. However, there are certain criteria to describe the amount of fluid on ultrasound in the pelvic cavity.

The doctor measures the greatest length of the vertical level of fluid behind the uterus. If the height of the liquid level is up to 10 mm, then its amount is considered insignificant. If the height of the liquid level is from 10 mm to 50 mm, then its amount is considered moderate, more than 50 mm is considered significant. After the ultrasound doctor has discovered a fluid formation behind the uterus, he carefully examines the condition of all organs in the pelvis and tries to find the cause of its appearance.

Is it possible to do research for children?

Preparing children for ultrasound diagnostics has several important nuances that you should always pay attention to:

1. Psychology. It is necessary to talk with the child first and convince him that the procedure is absolutely safe and painless. At the same time, it is important for parents to maintain external calm.
2. Shorter duration of abstinence from food (depending on age - 2-6 hours).
3. Creating a comfortable environment. Parents are advised to bring toys with them to create a home environment for the child.
4. Maximum courtesy and understanding from the medical staff.

Memo for the patient

The following table contains answers to the most common questions from patients regarding whether it is possible to perform a certain action before performing an ultrasound of the abdominal organs.

Contraindications for surgery

• Heart disease in the stage of decompensation;
• Bleeding disorders;
• Blood diseases - leukemia, lymphogranulomatosis, hemolytic anemia, thalassemia;
• Diabetes mellitus in the stage of decompensation;
• Diseases of the adrenal glands;
• Pituitary gland diseases;
• Violation of the activity and functions of the parathyroid and thyroid glands;
• Diseases that disrupt the process of bone restoration - dysplasia, osteoporosis, osteopathy;
• Mental disorders - paranoia, dementia, neuroses and psychoses;
• Drug addiction, alcoholism;
• Complex infections, serious immune disorders;
• The presence of malignant neoplasms, especially localized in the oral cavity.

Any of these diseases discovered in the patient during the study is a complete contraindication for implantation and a good reason for the specialist to refuse to perform such an operation in order to avoid harm to the health and life of the patient.

On the eve of the operation (one day before), the following actions are necessary:

• removal of dental plaque (plaque, tartar), tongue cleaning by a hygienist;
• complete cessation of drinking alcoholic beverages;
• avoiding noticeable changes in diet and excessive exercise;
• limiting the use of medications if possible;
• Thorough brushing of teeth, rinsing the mouth with an antiseptic three times a day.

Immediately before surgery, to avoid possible swelling, antibacterial therapy is carried out, and painkillers are selected individually.

You can only drink tea; you should abstain from food on the day of surgery (if it is in the afternoon, a light breakfast is not contraindicated). Do not smoke two hours before examination. A positive mood is also important.

During preparation for implantation, it is necessary to exclude contraindications (relative and absolute). Relative ones can be eliminated; if there are absolute contraindications, the dental clinic client may be denied surgery.

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In the following cases, the patient may be denied an implant:

• autoimmune diseases (eg, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus);
• diseases that cause tissue regeneration (for example, AIDS, hormonal diseases);
• some diseases of the blood, endocrine system (diabetes mellitus, thyroid pathologies);
• mental disorders, drug addiction, alcoholism;
• pathologies of the skeletal system;
• neoplasms, immune disorders;
• renal failure;
• allergy to pain relief.

A “social screening” of people with poor oral hygiene, severe bad habits, and those employed in heavy physical work is possible. You can also pause the process, for example:

• stressful state;
• poor quality nutrition;
• venereal diseases;
• poor condition of other implants;
• severe periodontal disease and periodontitis (implantation may become ineffective);
• recent vaccinations (excessive stress on the immune system).

What to take with you?

Doctors always advise taking food with you for the study. Since the patient is forced to fast for up to 8 hours, immediately after completing the diagnosis, you can snack on croissants, sandwiches or fruit.

It is advisable to come to public clinics (especially in small towns) with your own towel, which can be used to remove any remaining gel.

It is important to remember to take medical documentation. If the patient is inpatient treatment, this is the medical history; if not, then the patient’s outpatient card. It (if available) must be accompanied by a referral from the attending physician, an insurance policy and documents that confirm the patient’s identity (passport or birth certificate).

Please note: The results of previous examinations (ultrasound, CT, MRI) of the abdominal organs will be informative for the doctor who will conduct the diagnosis. This will allow him to compare the results obtained with previous ones.

Price

In Moscow, abdominal ultrasound is performed in numerous hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centers. The cost of the procedure in private medical institutions is 1200 (MedFord) - 6200 (DR Medical Group) rubles, and in public hospitals - 1500-3200 rubles.

It is not difficult to get examined in St. Petersburg . Its price in private centers is from 1,200 rubles (“AlfaMed”, “Blagodatnaya”, “Dynasty”). Immediately after the ultrasound, you have the opportunity to consult with a specialized specialist.

Diagnosis of abdominal organs is somewhat cheaper in the regions . In Yekaterinburg its cost is 900-1200 (“Medline”, “Angioline”), in Kazan – 550-1500 (“MEDEL”, “Remedy”, “Nashe Delo”), in Nizhny Novgorod 750-1500 rubles (“Svet”, "Health", "Euroclinic").

You can undergo a free abdominal ultrasound if you have an insurance policy (which covers this diagnostic method) and a referral from your attending physician (not older than 3 months). This information must be provided when registering the patient for the study.