Abdominal Ultrasound

Abdominal Ultrasound

Abdominal Ultrasound in Southampton

An abdominal ultrasound is one of the most common diagnostic tests worldwide. It lets the clinician see your internal organs in real time, making it invaluable for detecting and monitoring many conditions.

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What is an abdominal ultrasound?
Who should consider the scan?
What happens during the examination?
How to prepare
Organs we assess
Conditions we detect
How often to scan
Contra‑indications
Our clinicians
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What is an abdominal ultrasound?

This non‑invasive, pain‑free test uses sound waves (not X‑rays) to create live images of organs such as the liver, kidneys and gallbladder. The scan shows their size, shape and internal structure without any radiation exposure.

Who should consider the scan?

Ideal for anyone with:

persistent or recurring abdominal pain
suspected gallstones or kidney stones
abnormal liver‑function or kidney‑function tests
repeated urinary‑tract infections
a family history of abdominal cancers

It is also a valuable preventive test for a general health check‑up.

What happens during the examination?

You lie comfortably on your back while warm gel is applied to the skin. The probe glides over the abdomen and the organs appear on the screen instantly. The scan takes about 10–15 minutes and you leave with a written report straight away.

How to prepare

Fast for 6–8 hours before your appointment.
Drink one glass of still water an hour beforehand to fill the bladder.
Avoid gas‑producing foods (beans, cabbage, fizzy drinks) the day before and on the day.
Your doctor may suggest an over‑the‑counter anti‑bloating tablet if you suffer from excess wind.

Organs we assess

liver and bile ducts
pancreas
gallbladder
kidneys and urinary bladder
spleen
major blood vessels (aorta, vena cava)

Conditions we detect

fatty or enlarged liver
cysts, tumours and other focal lesions
gallstones or kidney stones
inflammatory diseases of abdominal organs
abdominal aortic aneurysms
urinary retention and other urinary abnormalities

How often to scan

Every 2–3 years as a routine check if you are healthy and symptom‑free.
Annually if you have a family or personal history of liver, kidney or abdominal cancer, or other chronic conditions.
Immediately if you develop sudden severe abdominal pain, jaundice or blood in urine.

Contra‑indications

Abdominal ultrasound is extremely safe and virtually free of contra‑indications. In patients with obesity or excess intestinal gas the image may be less clear; the clinician will advise on alternative imaging if needed.

Our clinicians

All scans are carried out by experienced specialists at Atlantic Clinic, including Dr Krzysztof Korpikiewicz, MD, PhD, who combines NHS and private practice with many years of ultrasound expertise.