Abdominal ultrasound — an effective method for early disease diagnosis

Abdominal ultrasound (USG) is one of the most commonly used and safest diagnostic methods in medicine. It allows doctors to assess the condition of the abdominal organs quickly, painlessly and without radiation, detecting various pathologies at an early stage. Regular abdominal ultrasound examinations help diagnose diseases in good time and start treatment before they cause more serious health problems.

What is abdominal ultrasound?

Abdominal ultrasound is a diagnostic method that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of internal organs. During the examination, the doctor can assess:

• The liver;
• The gallbladder and bile ducts;
• The pancreas;
• The spleen;
• The kidneys;
• The urinary bladder;
• The major blood vessels in the abdominal cavity.

The examination is completely safe, painless and usually lasts 10–20 minutes.

What pathologies can be detected with abdominal ultrasound?

Abdominal ultrasound is particularly valuable because it helps detect various diseases before pronounced symptoms appear. The most commonly diagnosed pathologies are:

Liver diseases:

• Fatty liver disease (hepatic steatosis);
• Liver cysts;
• Benign or malignant formations;
• Enlarged liver.

Gallbladder and bile-duct pathologies:

• Gallstones;
• Inflammation of the gallbladder;
• Dilation of the bile ducts.

Pancreatic problems:

• Inflammation of the pancreas;
• Cysts;
• Tumours.

Kidney and urinary-tract diseases:

• Kidney stones;
• Kidney cysts;
• Signs of kidney inflammation;
• Urinary outflow disorders.

Other changes:

• Enlarged spleen;
• Accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity;
• Various tumours or formations in the abdominal cavity.

Early detection of these pathologies significantly improves treatment outcomes.

Why is abdominal ultrasound important for prevention?

Many abdominal diseases initially develop without pronounced symptoms. A person may not feel any complaints, while structural changes may already have begun in the organs. Regular ultrasound makes it possible to:

• Detect pathological changes in organs in good time;
• Prevent disease progression;
• Assess risk factors;
• Monitor the progression of diseases that have already been diagnosed.

Therefore, doctors often recommend having this examination as a preventive measure as well.

How often should abdominal ultrasound be performed as a preventive measure?

Preventive abdominal ultrasound is usually recommended:

• Once a year — for adults as a preventive health check;
• Every 6–12 months — for people at increased risk (for example, with liver disease, gallstones or metabolic disorders);
• ​​​​​​​On a doctor’s recommendation — if you have already been diagnosed with chronic diseases or require regular monitoring.

Since ultrasound does not use ionising radiation, it can be performed as often as necessary when medically indicated.

When should an abdominal USG definitely be performed?

It is recommended to consult a doctor immediately and undergo an examination if you experience:

• Pain in the upper abdomen or sides;
• Nausea or digestive disorders;
• Unexplained weight loss;
• Bloating;
• Changes in urine or urination problems.

Timely diagnosis helps prevent serious health problems.

A safe and accessible diagnostic method

Abdominal ultrasound is a quick, safe and informative examination method that helps doctors obtain important information about the condition of internal organs. Regular preventive examinations can help detect diseases at an early stage, when treatment is most effective.

If you want to make sure that you are healthy or have complaints about your abdominal organs, abdominal ultrasound is one of the first and most important examinations that is recommended.

Abdominal ultrasound at FORTEMED clinic

​​​​​​​At FORTEMED Medical Centre, ultrasound examinations are performed using the Mindray Resona I9 — one of the most modern expert-level ultrasound systems. It is equipped with the latest 2D/3D/4D imaging technologies that ensure high image quali