Overview- Ultrasound Abdominal
Abdominal Ultrasound of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
An abdominal ultrasound is done to view structures inside the abdomen. It's the preferred screening method for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a weakened, bulging spot in the abdominal aorta — the major blood vessel that supplies blood to the body. However, the imaging test may be used to diagnose or rule out many other health conditions.
Doctors recommend an abdominal ultrasound to screen for an abdominal aortic aneurysm in men ages 65 to 75 who are current or former cigarette smokers. If you've never smoked, abdominal aortic aneurysm screening isn't recommended for men (or women), unless your doctor suspects you may have an aneurysm or if you have a family history of an aneurysm.
Why it's done
An abdominal ultrasound can help your doctor see many organs in your abdomen. Your doctor may recommend this test if you have a problem in any of these body areas:
- Blood vessels in the abdomen
- Gallbladder
- Intestines
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Pancreas
- Spleen
An abdominal ultrasound can help your doctor evaluate the cause of stomach pain or bloating. It can help check for kidney stones, liver disease, tumors and many other conditions.
Your doctor may recommend that you have an abdominal ultrasound if you're at risk of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. A one-time abdominal aortic ultrasound screening is recommended for men between the ages of 65 and 75 who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes during their lifetimes.
Routine screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms isn't recommended for women. Also, it's unclear if men who have never smoked may benefit from ultrasound screening for an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
