Abdominal ultrasound allows doctors to catch sight of the organs inside the abdominal cavity in a non-intrusive way. It does not use ionizing radiation. As an alternative, they use waves to create digital images of the abdominal organs. This enables the evaluation of blood vessels in the abdomen, gallbladder, intestines, kidneys, liver, pancreas and spleen.  A clear, water based conducting gel is applied to the skin over the abdomen which helps in transmission of the sound waves.

A transducer is then moved over the abdomen. It sends out high frequency sound waves as it encounters the body structures.  The computer receives these waves and create a picture. The doctor becomes conscience of the changes occurring in patient’s organs, tissues or blood vessels and may also detect if there is an abnormal mass present, such as tumor.