Abdominal ultrasound which is also commonly referred to as the abdominal ultrasound imaging is a procedure performed in order to view the abdominal structures for the medical doctor to make a diagnosis of the abdominal irregularities. Kidneys, liver, pancreas, spleen and abdominal aorta are covered with the sonography of the abdominal structures. Abdominal ultrasound results could also be incorporated with the diagnosis of blood flow in the blood vessels when Doppler technology is used. Medical professionals who perform the abdominal procedures are the ultrasound technician, the gastroenterologist, and some doctors who are specializing in internal medicine who are equipped with at least the basic skills related to medical sonography techniques and principles. This article will discuss about the basic information related to the ultrasound specialty, which is abdominal sonography.
For ultrasound technicians, formal education regarding the abdominal features and structures is needed in order to be qualified to perform the specialized work of the abdominal sonographer. Since abdominal ultrasound procedures involve different medical diagnostic procedures related in the organs of the abdomen, various abdominal ultrasound test include pelvic ultrasound and kidney ultrasound. Kidney ultrasound assesses the size, shape and the location of the kidneys and treated as a non-invasive medical diagnostic procedure. Most patients who have abdominal pain can have diseases, which are related to the kidney. Some of the kidney diseases include cysts, tumors, enlargement, irregularities, infections and even fluid collections. Abdominal ultrasound images, which are generated with the use of the sound waves emission of the ultrasound machines, the medical doctors, will be able to diagnose the diseases of the patients properly. Other abdominal ultrasound, which are performed by ultrasound technicians are related with other organs such as the liver, pancreas and associated organs such as the spleen, gall bladder and urethra.
Abdominal ultrasound is mainly used to diagnose the different diseases related to the abdominal structures but there are also other uses of this medical imaging technology. Ultrasound is used before the patient undergoes biopsy. The abdominal ultrasound will provide help in placing the needles for the kidney biopsy. It can also be used in order to drain fluid from the disease of enlargement and can also be used in the placement of drainage tubes. Abdominal ultrasound test is also helpful for the patients who have undergone kidney transplant in order for proper evaluation of the newly transplanted kidney. It is also important for the detection of the different stones such as kidney stones and gall bladder stones.
Having higher or advanced specialty in the field of ultrasound sonography will guarantee higher salaries when compared to other diagnostic medical sonographers who have general knowledge about sonography. The job outlook for abdominal sonographers and other highly specialized technician is as good as of other general medical sonographers.
Having a career in the field of medical sonography and pursuing further specialization such as the abdominal ultrasound will guarantee higher ultrasound tech salary and better job opportunities.
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