Transabdominal ultrasonography

Abdominal ultrasonography
Intervention
ICD-9-CM	88.76
OPS-301 code	3-059
MedlinePlus	003777
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Abdominal ultrasonography (also called abdominal ultrasound imaging or abdominal sonography) is a form of medical ultrasonography (medical application of ultrasound technology) to visualise abdominal anatomical structures. It uses transmission and reflection of ultrasound waves to visualise internal organs through the abdominal wall (with the help of gel which helps transmission of the sound waves). For this reason, the procedure is also called a transabdominal ultrasound, in contrast with endoscopic ultrasound, the latter combining ultrasound with endoscopy through visualize internal structures from within hollow organs.

Abdominal ultrasound examinations are performed by gastroenterologists or other specialists in internal medicine, radiologists or sonographers trained for this procedure.

Abdominal ultrasound can be used to diagnose abnormalities in various internal organs, such as the kidneys,liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen and abdominal aorta. If Doppler imaging is added, the blood flow inside blood vessels can be evaluated as well (for example, to look for renal artery stenosis).

Abdominal ultrasound is commonly used in the setting of abdominal pain or an acute abdomen (sudden and/or severe abdominal pain syndrome in which surgical intervention might be necessary), in which it can diagnose appendicitis or cholecystitis.

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