Abdominal sonar is a noninvasive method for evaluating the internal organs and tissues of the abdomen. The spleen, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and bile ducts are part of the digestive system, as is the abdominal aorta. Using abdominal sonar enables speedy, noninvasive viewing of internal abdominal structures and organs from the outside. Blood flow evaluation of the abdominal organs is another possible approach to sonar.

In abdominal sonar, a transducer is used to emit soundless sound waves to examine internal organs and tissues with abdominal sonar is possible by placing a transducer on the skin and sending sound waves through the patient’s body. The transducer receives an echo of the sound waves as they reflect off the organs. A computer takes the data from the reflected waves and converts it into an image of the organs or tissues under investigation.

For instance, sound travels much faster when passing through bone tissue than when passing through the air. The transducer interprets the different tissue types based on the speed at which the sound waves are reflected.

Why is Abdominal Sonar Done?

An abdominal sonar can let your doctor see many of the organs in your abdominal cavity. If you have a problem in any of the following body areas, your doctor may recommend getting this test.

• Blood vessels in the abdomen
• Intestines
• Gallbladder
• Liver
• Kidneys
• Spleen
• Pancreas

Your doctor will recommend an abdominal Sonar to diagnose the source of your abdominal pain better or bloating. It can assist in analyzing various illnesses, including kidney stones, liver disease, malignancies, and many more.

If your doctor believes you are at risk of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm, they may suggest having an abdominal sonar. Men between the ages of 65 and 75 who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes are encouraged to undergo a one-time abdominal aortic sonar test.

How To Get Prepared?

1. Put on clothes that are easy to move in and have a loose fit.
2. Depending on the type of procedure, you might need to change into a gown.
3. The preparations you need to make are determined by the kind of abdominal sonar you will receive.
4. Before examining the liver, gallbladder, spleen, or pancreas, you could be requested to consume a meal that does not contain any fat the night before the test and then refrain from eating anything from eight to twelve hours before the examination.
5. For a Kidney sonar, you will need to consume four to six glasses of liquid approximately one hour before the test to fill your bladder. You may be requested to refrain from eating anywhere from eight to twelve hours before the examination in order to prevent a buildup of gas in your intestines.
6. It is recommended that you refrain from eating anywhere from eight to twelve hours before having a sonar of the aorta performed.

How is the Test Performed?

Internal organs and structures can be visualized using an abdominal sonar. The device generates ultrasonic waves with very high frequencies, which bounce off various body parts. These signals are received by a computer, which then uses them to produce an image. This examination does not use ionizing radiation like x-rays or CT scans.

During the procedure, you will be asked to lie down. The skin across the abdomen is slathered with a transparent, water-based conductive gel. This aids in the conduction of the audible vibrations. After that, a handheld probe transducer is moved over the stomach area. The doctor or nurse may ask you to switch positions so they may examine other parts of your body. There may be timed sections of the test in which you’ll need to hold your breath.