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An abdomen and pelvis ultrasound is a safe and painless imaging test used to assess vital organs such as the liver, kidneys, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, urinary bladder, and reproductive organs.
It provides detailed images that help diagnose various health conditions. If you've recently undergone this scan and received your report, understanding the medical jargon can be challenging. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you understand the findings.
Key Sections of Your Ultrasound Report
1. Liver
What is Checked?
The ultrasound checks the size, shape, texture, and presence of any abnormalities in the liver. This includes evaluating the liver's echogenicity, which indicates its density and composition. It also checks for masses, lesions, or fluid accumulation.
Normal Findings
If the report states "Normal in size and echogenicity," it means the liver is healthy, with no unusual growths, masses, or inflammation. The texture is smooth, and no cysts or tumors are present. This suggests normal liver function without signs of disease.
If There’s an Issue
Abnormal findings may include fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis, or tumors. An enlarged liver or altered echogenicity could indicate fatty liver disease, often linked to obesity or alcohol consumption.
Read More: Deep Dive into KUB Ultrasound - Kidneys, Ureters, and Bladder
2. Gallbladder & Common Bile Duct (CBD)
What is Checked?
The ultrasound examines the presence of gallstones, wall thickening, and bile duct obstruction. It also checks the size and shape of the gallbladder and the patency of the bile ducts, which transport bile from the liver to the intestines.
Normal Findings
The report will state "No calculi or sludge," indicating the absence of gallstones or blockages. The gallbladder walls are thin, smooth, and normal in appearance, with no signs of inflammation or swelling. The common bile duct is of normal diameter.
If There’s an Issue
Findings like gallstones (cholelithiasis), thickened walls, or bile duct dilation may be noted. Gallstones appear as echogenic (bright) masses with acoustic shadows.
Thickened walls might indicate cholecystitis (inflammation), often causing pain and fever. Bile duct obstruction could suggest biliary stones or tumors, requiring further evaluation through MRCP or ERCP tests.
3. Pancreas
What is Checked?
The ultrasound examines the head, body, and tail of the pancreas for size, shape, and any abnormal growths or cysts. It also checks for structural changes that could indicate inflammation or tumors.
Normal Findings
A normal report will read "Pancreas appears normal", indicating a smooth, homogeneous texture with no masses or cysts. The ducts are not dilated, suggesting normal pancreatic function.
If There’s an Issue
Abnormalities like inflammation (pancreatitis), cysts, or tumors might be noted. Pancreatitis appears as an enlarged, hypoechoic (dark) pancreas with irregular borders.
Read More: Understanding Abdominal and Pelvic Ultrasounds: Common Conditions They Can Detect
4. Spleen
What is Checked?
The ultrasound evaluates the size and any abnormal growths in the spleen. It checks for enlargement, lesions, or changes in echotexture, which could indicate underlying health issues.
Normal Findings
If the report states "Normal in size and echogenicity," it means the spleen is healthy with no enlargement, masses, or structural abnormalities. It also indicates normal blood filtering and immune function.
If There’s an Issue
An enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) may be detected, possibly due to infections (like mononucleosis), liver disease (cirrhosis), blood disorders, or cancers (lymphoma or leukemia). Lesions or cysts could also be present, requiring further tests. An enlarged spleen may cause pain or discomfort in the upper left abdomen.
5. Kidneys
What is Checked?
The ultrasound examines the size, shape, structure, and presence of stones or masses. It also checks for urinary blockages, cysts, or signs of kidney infections.
Normal Findings
A normal result will state "No calculi or hydroureteronephrosis," meaning no kidney stones or swelling due to urine blockage. The kidneys appear normal in size, shape, and structure.
If There’s an Issue
The presence of kidney stones, hydronephrosis (swelling), cysts, or tumors may be noted. Kidney stones appear as bright, echogenic spots with shadowing. Hydronephrosis indicates urine buildup due to obstruction, requiring immediate medical attention. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs, while masses may indicate tumors, needing further investigation.
Read More: Renal Doppler: A Key Diagnostic Tool for Kidney Health
6. Urinary Bladder
What is Checked?
The ultrasound examines the size, wall thickness, and presence of stones, masses, or infections. It also checks for residual urine after voiding.
Normal Findings
The report will mention "No calculi or debris within," indicating a healthy bladder with no stones, tumors, or infections. The walls are thin and smooth, showing normal urinary function.
If There’s an Issue
Thickened bladder walls could indicate infection, inflammation, or bladder outlet obstruction. Bladder stones appear as echogenic masses with shadows.
7. Prostate (Males) / Uterus & Ovaries (Females)
Males: Prostate
The ultrasound checks the size and presence of abnormalities.
- Normal Findings: "Prostate normal in size, no focal lesion," indicating no enlargement or masses.
- If There’s an Issue: Enlarged prostate (BPH) or inflammation (prostatitis).
Females: Uterus and Ovaries
The scan examines size, structure, cysts, or fibroids.
- Normal Findings: "Uterus normal in size, endometrium normal," showing no abnormalities.
- If There’s an Issue: Fibroids, ovarian cysts, or thickened endometrium may indicate hormonal imbalances or other conditions.
8. Additional Findings
- No ascites: No abnormal fluid in the abdomen.
- No bowel abnormalities: Normal intestinal appearance.
- Appendix not visualized: Common and usually not concerning unless pain is present.
Read More: Key Insights on Abdominal and Pelvic USG Scans for Patients
Understanding the Impression Section
At the end of the report, you’ll find the "Impression" section, which summarizes the findings.
- "No sonological abnormality detected" → Your scan is normal!
- If abnormalities are found, further tests or clinical correlation may be recommended. Always discuss the results with your doctor for accurate interpretation.
