The Role of Ultrasound in Diagnosing Abdominal and Pelvic Conditions

Before the days of ultrasound and other types of medical imaging, doctors could not see what was happening inside a patient’s body without the use of surgery. Today’s medical imaging technology, such as abdominal ultrasound, gives doctors the tools they need to diagnose several abdominal and pelvic conditions.

There are many types of pelvic ultrasounds:

• Abdominal ultrasound that creates pictures of the tissues and organs in the abdomen
• Pregnancy ultrasound to monitor fetal development in the uterus
• Transvaginal ultrasound, which images the reproductive organs from inside the vagina
• Rectal ultrasound that examines the inside of the rectum
• Transrectal ultrasound creates images of the prostate

Understanding Ultrasound for Abdominal and Pelvic Health

Ultrasound technology gives doctors a clear view of organs inside your body. It is particularly helpful for creating images of the organs of the pelvis, which is the area below your belly button and above your thighs.

Also known as sonography, ultrasound creates pictures (sonograms) that help your doctors diagnose problems, assess your condition, or evaluate how well treatment is working. Ultrasound can create images of many organs and structures within the body, including the breasts, thyroid, and blood vessels. An abdominal ultrasound creates images of the abdomen, which is the area of the body between the ribs and the hips. A pelvic ultrasound focuses on the organs of the pelvis.

Pelvic ultrasound can create images of several organs, including:

• Bladder
• Fallopian tubes
• Ovaries
• Prostate
• Rectum
• Uterus
• Vagina

What Is Ultrasound and How Does It Work?

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves and a computer to create sonograms. The person performing the ultrasound, known as a sonographer, uses sophisticated technology to create diagnostic sonograms. This technology includes a handheld transducer, which emits and detects sound waves, a computer-like machine, and a screen.

The sonographer presses the transducer against the patient’s skin. The transducer emits sound waves, which bounce off the tissues and organs in the patient’s body and back to the transducer. The transducer converts the returned sound waves into electrical signals and then sends these signals to the machine, which interprets the signals to create an image.

The Benefits of Using Ultrasound in Diagnostics

Abdominal ultrasound provides a wide variety of benefits when diagnosing illnesses and injuries. These benefits include:

• Safety – ultrasound uses sound waves instead of ionizing radiation, such as that used in conventional X-rays
• Speed – ultrasound is a quick procedure that produces immediate results
• Comfort – abdominal ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure, which means it does not involve incisions or cuts to the skin
• Accuracy – pelvic ultrasound and other types of ultrasound create real-time, detailed images of soft tissue, which allows for precise identification of abnormalities
• No special preparations needed – can be used at any time, without the need for fasting or other preps
• Versatility – ultrasound can be used to guide surgical procedures; for example, surgeons and other medical professionals can use ultrasound to help guide the placement of needles or other surgical equipment during procedures

Common Conditions Diagnosed with Abdominal and Pelvic Ultrasounds

Healthcare providers often recommend diagnostic imaging for abdominal conditions in men and women.

Pelvic ultrasound can help diagnose a wide range of conditions in women, such as:

• Ectopic pregnancy – a serious condition in which the egg implants in tissue outside the uterus
• Endometriosis – when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus
• Gynecologic tumors – potentially cancerous growths in the reproductive organs of women
• Ovarian cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs
• Ovarian torsion – a condition in which a fallopian tube or ovary twists, thereby cutting off blood flow to those organs
• Pelvic inflammatory disease – a bacterial infection affecting the female reproductive tract
• Pelvic organ prolapse – occurs when one or more of the organs slip from their place in the pelvis and bulge into the vagina
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – a hormonal condition, which affects the ovaries to cause irregular menstrual periods, acne, weight gain, and sometimes infertility
• Uterine fibroids – non-cancerous tumors that develop in the uterus

In male patients, pelvic ultrasound can help doctors diagnose conditions, such as:

• Infections or cysts in the seminal vesicles, which are glands that help produce semen
• Injury to the penis or scrotum
• Infection of the testicles or scrotum
• Cancer of the prostate or testicles

When and Why an Ultrasound Is Recommended

A doctor may recommend pelvic ultrasound when the patient is experiencing specific signs and symptoms of an illness.

Identifying Symptoms That May Require an Ultrasound

Pelvic ultrasound can help your doctor determine the cause of certain symptoms. Your healthcare provider may recommend an ultrasound if you are experiencing:

• Trouble getting pregnant
• Pain when you urinate
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Abdominal or pelvic pain
• Abdominal swelling
• Urinary incontinence, or leaking urine
• Unusual menstrual bleeding
• Vaginal bleeding after menopause

The Diagnostic Process: What to Expect During an Ultrasound

The sonographer will guide you through the process. They may ask you to change into a hospital gown for your ultrasound.

Your ultrasound will follow these general steps:

• You’ll lie on a comfortable table, either on your back or on your side
• The sonographer will apply a small amount of water-soluble gel to your skin, over the area of your body they will be imaging
• They will move the transducer over the examination area
• The technician may ask you to hold your breath or lie very still at some points during the ultrasound to help create a clearer image
• Once the sonographer has gotten enough images, they will wipe off any excess gel from your skin

You can expect your pelvic ultrasound to take about 30 to 60 minutes. The healthcare professional who ordered the abdominal ultrasound will contact you with the results.

How Ultrasound Supports Early Detection and Treatment

Most conditions respond better to treatment early, when signs and symptoms may be mild; waiting until the condition worsens can cause more pain and decrease the effectiveness of treatment.

Abdominal ultrasound can detect many conditions early in their development, sometimes even before the patient experiences signs or symptoms of a problem. Ultrasound is especially helpful for detecting problems during pregnancy.

The Expertise Behind Diagnostic Ultrasounds

While the ultrasound procedure is easy for patients, performing abdominal ultrasound requires a great deal of expertise. Specialized training and certification or a degree is required before someone can perform an ultrasound.

Analyzing the images and interpreting the results of an abdominal ultrasound requires deep knowledge of imaging, anatomy, and medicine. A radiologist is a medical doctor (MD) who has completed an internship and residency training, which usually means an extra five years of education.

Why Choose Experienced Radiologists for Ultrasound Procedures

Experience allows radiologists to accurately interpret pelvic and other abdominal ultrasound images to help practitioners provide the right diagnosis quickly. Deep knowledge about ultrasound also helps radiologists use the technology to guide complex procedures with precision. Experience is especially helpful in complex cases and challenging situations.

Ensuring Accurate Results with Advanced Imaging Technology

Advanced imaging technology, such as pelvic ultrasound, provides unprecedented accuracy. High-quality imaging systems provide superior clarity and detail, which leads to more accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.

Schedule Your Ultrasound Today for Peace of Mind

Worries about your health can keep you up at night and distract you during the day, especially if you are pregnant or experiencing symptoms. If you are concerned about an abdominal condition, schedule an ultrasound today.

FAQs About Abdominal and Pelvic Ultrasounds

What Conditions Can an Ultrasound Diagnose?

Doctors rely on diagnostic imaging for abdominal conditions, such as Cancer, Non-cancerous growths, Cysts, Ectopic pregnancy, Endometriosis, Fibroids, Infection, Injury, PCOS, and Prolapse.

Is Ultrasound Safe for Repeated Use?

Many patients need repeated medical imaging, such as pelvic ultrasound to monitor their health. Repeated ultrasounds are important for monitoring the health of an unborn child, for example.

Because it uses sound waves rather than ionizing radiation to create images, ultrasound is safe for repeated uses. However, as with all types of testing, doctors use ultrasound prudently and only when necessary for the patients’ good health.

How Should I Prepare for an Abdominal or Pelvic Ultrasound?

No special diet or other preparation is required for a pelvic ultrasound, although you may need to drink a large amount of water before the test to fill your bladder. A full bladder pushes some organs to the side, thereby creating a “window” that makes it easier to see other organs. More specifically, a full bladder repositions the bowel and elevates the uterus to create clearer images of the uterus, ovaries, and other pelvic organs. 

Leave jewelry at home. Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows the sonographer to access the area being imaged.

For more information about the role of ultrasound in diagnosing abdominal and pelvic conditions, consult with your doctor or the healthcare professionals at NVRA. We offer pelvic and abdominal ultrasounds that provide reliable answers.