Procedure
Abdominal Ultrasound
What it is
A broad survey of the abdominal organs, no radiation.
Abdominal ultrasound is a comprehensive in-office study that images the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, abdominal aorta, and major abdominal vessels. It is noninvasive, radiation-free, and well-tolerated. Within cardiovascular medicine it is particularly valuable for screening the abdominal aorta for aneurysm, assessing the liver and visceral fat in cardiometabolic risk stratification, and following up on incidental findings from prior imaging.
Painless, in-office, 30 to 45 minutes.
Performed in the office with the patient lying on the back; ultrasound gel is applied to the abdomen and a probe captures images systematically from each organ. A short fasting period before the exam improves visualization of the gallbladder and pancreas. Dr. Kedan personally reviews the images and discusses any findings with you during the visit.
Cardiovascular screening, cardiometabolic profiling, and incidental follow-up.
Common indications include screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (especially in men over 65 with a smoking history), characterizing fatty liver and visceral adiposity in cardiometabolic risk assessment, evaluating right upper quadrant symptoms, following up on cysts or masses identified on prior imaging, and providing a baseline before certain therapies. Often performed alongside hepatic elastography for the most informative cardiometabolic picture.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this different from carotid or echocardiogram ultrasound?
Do I need to fast?
How long does the test take?
Will this find an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
Is it covered by insurance?
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