Abdomen Ultrasound

Abdominal ultrasound scans provide valuable insights into the overall health of the abdominal contents, which include the Liver, gallbladder, spleen, bile ducts, kidneys and pancreas.

Doppler ultrasound scans can also be used to assess the blood flow through the abdominal aorta, which is a key blood vessel that transports blood from your heart to the rest of your body.

If you’re suffering from abdominal pain or bloating, an ultrasound scan of the abdomen could help you to get the diagnosis you need.

What is an abdomen ultrasound scan?

The abdomen is the part of your body between your chest and your pelvis. It can also be called the belly or tummy. The abdominal cavity is a space that houses many important organs, blood vessels and other tissues.

An abdominal ultrasound (abdominal sonography) is a quick and painless way for your doctor to take a closer look at the organs and structures inside your abdomen, including your liver, kidneys, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, abdominal aorta, and nearby blood vessels.

Abdominal ultrasound scans work by using high-frequency sound waves to create images. The sound waves bounce off the tissues of your abdomen to generate images of the internal organs and other structures. A scanning probe, also known as an ultrasound transducer, is moved over the skin with a lubricating ultrasound gel used, and emits these sound waves. The transducer then collects the echoes as they reflect off the abdominal contents. A computer uses this information to compile images on a screen in real-time.

Ultrasound waves cannot be heard by the human ear.

What does an abdominal ultrasound show?

An abdominal ultrasound will show the abdominal cavity and its contents, including abdominal organs, blood vessels and soft tissues.

Ultrasound scans enable images to be captured in real-time on a screen, and the images are usually in black and white, with different levels of shading based on the tissues being scanned.

Why Might I Need an Abdomen Ultrasound?

In addition to looking more closely at the organs and blood vessels mentioned below, ultrasound allows your doctor to check if there are any blockages to blood flow, such as clots, that may be affecting your abdominal organs.

It can help your medical team diagnose problems within the abdomen, such as the cause of abdominal pain or abnormal or enlarged organs, abnormal functioning of the organs and things that can affect abdominal organs, such as kidney stones or gallstones. 

Sometimes doctors use ultrasound as a method for guiding biopsies. This is where a surgeon takes a small tissue sample from an organ and performs diagnostic tests for conditions or diseases.

The following organs are those in which abdominal ultrasound can be useful during evaluation: 

Liver

An ultrasound can help check the size and shape of your liver, spot signs of liver disease, or look for fatty buildup. Your doctor may also recommend it to check your liver for tumours or cysts, and to monitor underlying liver conditions, such as cirrhosis.

Gallbladder

If you’ve been having pain after eating, particularly in the upper right-hand side of your tummy, your doctor may want to rule out gallstones or gallbladder inflammation. An abdominal ultrasound is one of the best ways to do this.

Pancreas

Your pancreas plays an important role in digestion and blood sugar control. If it’s inflamed – a condition known as pancreatitis – or your doctor is concerned about a growth or blockage, an ultrasound can provide useful images.

Kidneys

An ultrasound of the kidneys can detect stones, cysts, or signs of infection. It can also help spot structural problems or blockages in the urinary tract.

Spleen

Your spleen helps filter blood and fight infection. If it’s enlarged or damaged, an ultrasound can help confirm what’s going on.

Abdominal Aorta

The abdominal aorta is the main blood vessel that carries blood from your heart to the lower half of your body. Your doctor may recommend an ultrasound scan if they think you could have an abdominal aortic aneurysm – a potentially serious bulge in the blood vessel. However, all men living in England are invited for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening when they turn 65, on the NHS, so it’s also preventative as well as being diagnostic.

Bladder

If you’re having trouble passing urine, or your doctor suspects something’s affecting your bladder function, an ultrasound can help them to assess bladder size and emptying.

Intestines

Although ultrasound isn’t the main test used for bowel problems, it may still provide useful information about the intestines in certain cases. It can help your doctor check the size and location of your intestines, assess their wall thickness, and identify any abnormalities or problems. 

Blood Vessels

Ultrasound imaging is beneficial for looking at blood flow in the major vessels of the abdomen. Your doctor will use an ultrasound to check blood flow direction and speed, and check for blockages and narrowing of the vessels.

What Can an Abdominal Ultrasound Diagnose?

An abdominal ultrasound is often the first step in diagnosing many conditions. It’s quick, widely available, and gives your doctor lots of useful information, without the need for more invasive tests.

Here are some common conditions that can be picked up with an abdominal ultrasound:

Gallstones

Hardened deposits in the gallbladder. Ultrasound can detect their size, number, and movement.

Liver cirrhosis

Scarring of the liver due to long-term damage. Ultrasound shows liver texture changes and signs of portal hypertension.

Fatty liver

Build-up of fat in liver cells. Ultrasound reveals a brighter, enlarged liver typical of steatosis.

Kidney stones

Hard mineral deposits in the kidneys. Ultrasound helps spot stones and signs of urinary blockage.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

Bulging of the abdominal aorta. Ultrasound can measure the size and risk of rupture.

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas. Ultrasound may show swelling, fluid collections, or gallstones, which can cause inflammation.

Liver tumours

Abnormal growths in the liver. Ultrasound detects masses and guides further imaging or biopsy.

Kidney cysts

Fluid-filled sacs in the kidneys. Ultrasound can distinguish simple cysts from more complex ones.

Ascites (fluid in the abdomen)

Buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Ultrasound is sensitive in detecting even small volumes.

Bile duct obstruction

Blockage in the bile ducts. Ultrasound can show dilated ducts and possible causes like stones or tumours.

Can you see cancer in the abdomen with ultrasound?

Can ultrasound detect tumours? Abdomen scans using ultrasound can help determine what a lump is made up of. If it is fluid-filled, it is more likely to be a cyst, and the ultrasound echoes will differ between fluid-filled lumps and solid masses that may be tumours.

Ultrasound images of abdomen cancer usually wouldn't be used alone in diagnosis - an ultrasound scan of the abdomen would normally be followed up with further testing such as MRI or CT imaging or possible biopsy.

What Types of Abdominal Ultrasounds Are Available?

There are several types of abdominal ultrasounds available. Your doctor will recommend one over the others depending on your medical history, which organs they need to look at and, in some cases, what they think you would be most comfortable with. 

2D Ultrasound

This is the standard type of ultrasound used in most abdominal scans. It creates flat, two-dimensional images of your organs and tissues.

Doppler Ultrasound

This type of scan looks at how blood flows through your blood vessels. It’s useful for spotting blockages or narrowing in arteries and veins.

Colour Doppler Ultrasound

This technique uses different colours to show the direction and speed of blood flow.

Power Doppler Ultrasound

This version is even more sensitive to low-speed (low-velocity) blood flow and is especially useful in certain organs where blood movement is slower.

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS)

In some cases, your sonographer or scanning technician will inject a special contrast agent into your arm. This improves the clarity of the images, and it can be useful if your doctor suspects liver lesions or tumours.

Elastography

This advanced ultrasound technique measures tissue stiffness, especially in the liver. It’s often used to assess how serious a condition is, such as liver fibrosis or cirrhosis.

How does an Ultrasound of the Abdomen Work?

Ultrasound imaging uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of the inside of your body. These sound waves travel through the skin and bounce off internal structures. The returning echoes are picked up by a handheld device called a transducer and converted into images on a monitor.

Because it doesn’t use ionising radiation, experts consider ultrasound very safe. It’s also widely accessible and doesn’t usually require much preparation.

What Equipment is Used During an Ultrasound Scan?

The main tool used during an abdominal ultrasound is the transducer – a small, hand-held device that emits sound waves and captures the returning echoes. It’s connected to an ultrasound machine, which processes the data and displays the images on a screen.

Your scanning technician will apply a thin layer of ultrasound gel to the skin on your abdomen before scanning. This helps remove any air between the transducer and the body, allowing the sound waves to travel efficiently.

What Are the Benefits of an Abdomen Ultrasound?

Abdominal ultrasound is a non-invasive and painless procedure that uses no radiation, making it a safe choice for many patients. It also provides real-time images of internal organs, allowing for quick and accurate assessment by your doctor. The scan is widely available, so it’s often used as a first step to help guide further treatment or investigations.

What Are the Risks & Side Effects of an Abdomen Ultrasound?

Ultrasound is considered extremely safe. There are no known risks from the sound waves used in the scan. You may feel slight pressure from the transducer or a bit of discomfort if you’re required to hold a full bladder, but most people find the procedure easy and painless.

Is an ultrasound scan of abdomen safe?

Ultrasound scans have no known side effects, and are safe and non-invasive medical imaging procedures. There is no risk of radiation exposure, which differentiates ultrasound scans from CTs and X-rays, and it is also uncommon to use a contrast agent for an ultrasound scan compared to CT or MRI.

To find out more about ultrasound scans, you can visit our definitive guide.

How to prepare for an abdominal ultrasound examination

Abdominal ultrasound scans have more required preparations than other types of ultrasound. This is due to undigested food, and urine that hasn’t been passed, blocking some of the sound waves leading to reduced quality images.

If you're wondering 'can you drink water before an ultrasound of the abdomen?', the answer is usually no. You may well be asked to fast for 8-10 hours before your abdominal scan, and refrain from drinking. You should check with your doctor if you can continue to take your medication as normal.

We will always let you know what to do before ultrasound of the whole abdomen, and any necessary preparations in advance of your appointment.

Abdominal ultrasound: what to expect on the day

Ultrasound imaging is quick, simple and non-invasive. You can go about your day as normal after the scan, as ultrasound does not have any side effects.

On the day of your scan, you could expect the following steps to take place:

• You might be asked to change out of your clothes and into a hospital gown. You’ll also need to remove any jewellery that might interfere with the scan procedure.

• You’ll usually need to lie down on a flat couch for the scan, with your belly exposed.

• The sonographer (scan technician) will apply a cool gel to the skin of your abdomen, to lubricate the area and prevent air bubbles from disrupting the scan images.

• During the scan, the sonographer will move the transducer across your skin. If you are suffering with abdominal pain, you might experience some discomfort. You should tell your sonographer if you are experiencing pain during the procedure.

• After the scan, you can resume your day as normal.

How long does an abdominal ultrasound take?

Abdominal ultrasound imaging is usually completed in less than than 30 minutes

How long do abdominal ultrasound results take?

After your abdominal ultrasound exam, a radiologist will study your ultrasound images, and write a report of their findings. This will be shared with our clinical team within 7 working days.

As soon as we receive your results, we will share the report with you by email, and our clinicians will provide a follow-up consultation to discuss the outcomes and next steps. If you need copies of your images for onward care, these can be provided on request.

What Happens After an Abdominal Ultrasound?

Once the scan is complete, you can wipe the gel off (with help from your technician if needed), and you’ll be able to get dressed. You can usually go home straight away and return to your normal activities.

If you’ve had to fast, you may want to bring a snack with you to eat afterwards.

How Will I Get the Results?

A doctor who specialises in analysing scan images (radiologist) will look over the images and prepare notes for your referring doctor. The results are usually available within a day or two.

Your doctor will explain what the results mean in a follow-up consultation. Depending on the images revealed and what your doctor suspects, they may recommend further tests – such as a CT or MRI scan.

How much does a private abdominal scan cost?

Our ultrasound scans start from £219, and this price includes a whole lot more than just your scan procedure. Book with us, and you’ll receive:

• A pre-scan consultation with a dedicated expert clinician, to discuss your symptoms and requirements

• Your choice of scanning centre, and a fast referral to your selected clinic

• Your abdominal ultrasound scan

• A radiologist’s report of your results

• Access to your scan images upon request

• A post-scan consultation with your clinician if any next steps are required

Next steps: How to book an abdomen ultrasound near me

• Book a private ultrasound today without GP referral - our expert clinical team will take care of all the paperwork on your behalf. You can also choose from the UK's largest network of scanning locations with options near you.

• Visit our news page to learn more about ultrasound scans and medical imaging

FAQs

Can You See Cancer in the Abdomen With an Ultrasound?

Ultrasound can show suspicious masses or abnormal structures, but if your doctor suspects cancer, they will recommend having further imaging tests, such as a CT scan or an MRI.

Can You Drink Water Before an Ultrasound of the Abdomen?

Yes – especially if the scan includes your bladder. However, if your liver, gallbladder, or pancreas is being checked, you may be asked not to eat or drink anything for several hours beforehand. Be sure to check the specific instructions from your hospital or clinic.

What Does an Ultrasound of the Abdomen Show?

It shows the size, shape, and structure of your abdominal organs. It can also detect fluid, stones, cysts, possible tumours, and changes in blood flow.

How Do You Read an Ultrasound Report of the Abdomen?

A radiologist will write a report based on what they see. This will include descriptions of each organ, any abnormalities, and recommendations for follow-up if needed.

Ultrasound images, or sonograms, use shades of black, white, and grey to show the inside of your body. Black areas usually mean fluid (like amniotic fluid or cysts), white areas show dense structures like bone or kidney stones, and grey areas represent different soft tissues. 

Some scans also use colour to show blood flow—red means blood is moving towards the probe, blue means it’s flowing away, and orange highlights blood vessels.

If you’re unsure about anything in your ultrasound or report, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor to explain it in plain English.

How Long Does an Abdomen Ultrasound Take?

The scan usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on which areas are being examined.

Sources used

Ultrasound scan. (2025). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ultrasound-scan/

Abdominal ultrasound scan. (2024). Trust.https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/health-information/abdominal-ultrasound-scan

Abdominal ultrasound. (2023). https://radiopaedia.org/articles/abdominal-ultrasound

Abdominal ultrasound: What it is, purpose, procedure & results. (2023). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/4994-abdominal-ultrasound

Abdominal ultrasound. (2024). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/abdominal-ultrasound/about/pac-20392738

Abdominal ultrasound exam. (2024). https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/abdominus

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening. (2024). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm-screening/