Paediatric abdominal ultrasound

Paediatric abdominal ultrasound – when and why should it be performed?

Paediatric abdominal ultrasound is used to assess the size, position and structure of the abdominal organs:

• the pancreas;
• the spleen;
• the liver;
• the gallbladder;
• the biliary tract;
• the bladder;
• the kidneys;
• the adrenal glands;
• the aorta;
• large blood vessels and the retroperitoneal space.

During the examination, it is possible to detect abnormalities, such as malformations.

Abdominal ultrasound is also used to monitor the treatment of abdominal cancers and to detect metastases.

Paediatric abdominal ultrasound – description of the procedure

The ultrasound procedure is based on the phenomenon of reflection of ultrasound waves against the structure of the organs – it is a non-invasive technique and the examination itself is safe and painless.

During the examination, the doctor applies a special gel to the abdomen in order to obtain a good quality image. The application of the gel may cause discomfort (coldness, sticky feeling), which passes once the examination is completed and the gel is wiped off the examined area. In addition, the gel is warmed up in order to minimise unpleasant sensations.

Indications for abdominal ultrasound

You should make an appointment for this examination if you observe:

• increased abdominal circumference (if not related to excessive food intake);
• bothersome, recurrent abdominal pain;
• colicky pain;
• weight loss (if not intentional);
• prolonged constipation, diarrhoea, flatulence, vomiting;
• suspected lithiasis (cholelithiasis or nephrolithiasis);
• yellowish skin;
• absence of bowel movements or urination;
• gastrointestinal or urinary bleeding;
• changes which can be felt upon palpation;
• abdominal trauma.

Paediatric abdominal ultrasound

• Duration of the examination: 15-20 minutes.
• Abdominal ultrasound is a non-invasive examination. Please note that if the patient does not prepare properly, the doctor will not be able to carry out the examination or the obtained result will not be reliable.

Abdominal ultrasound – preparation

• on the day before the examination: follow a light diet, without vegetables, fruit and dark bread, refrain from drinking carbonated or sweetened beverages (still water can be consumed);
• Espumisan 3 x 2 capsules one day before the examination – the medicine will clear the digestive tract of air which might otherwise be an obstacle to ultrasound;
• 6 hours before the examination: refrain from consuming food and chewing gum;
• 2 hours before the abdominal ultrasound: drink 1-4 glasses of still water and refrain from urinating. Make sure that the bladder is filled moderately, but not to the maximum.

Abdominal ultrasound is intended for children over 16 years of age.

Abdominal ultrasound – results

• The patient is provided with the results of the examination in the form of an impression with the ultrasound image. All documents are printed during the appointment, so the patient receives the original version of the results. The impression is also available online.