Preparation for ultrasonography

Preparation for ultrasonography of abdominal cavity, renal vessels, abdominal cavity vessels (abdominal aorta and its visceral branches, portal vein and its branches)

In order to prevent gases and content of intestinal tract from covering the internals (liver, pancreas, etc.), it is necessary to prepare the intestinal tract in a proper way. For this purpose:

1. 3 days before the examination exclude gas-forming products: black bread, milk, fresh vegetables, cabbage, fruits, sweets, peas, beans, bananas.

2. 2-3 days before the examination take 2 pills of Espumisan 3 times daily, and on the day of examination take 4 pills without water.

3. Examination is conducted fasting, i.e. no food and drinks 6 hours before the examination.

4. Before doctor's appointment do not chew a gum because secretion of gastric acid stimulates gallbladder catastalsis.

5. Smokers should restrain from smoking before the examination. Nicotine may also provoke partial catastalsis of the gallbladder.

6. If you take medicines, clarify the time of ultrasonography. Ideally, take medicines after completion of an early procedure. Otherwise, the interval between taking medicines and examination should make not less than 6–8 hours. If you take medicines stimulating GIT organs activity, the necessity of such medicines taking before ultrasonography should be coordinated with a doctor.

If you have diabetes, slight breakfast is allowed before liver ultrasonography (warm tea, dried white bread).

1. Abdominal ultrasonography may not be conducted after several diagnostic procedures (on the same day): endoscopic examinations (fibrogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy) because air coming to intestinal tract during manipulation makes it more difficult for the ultrasound to come and monitor abdominal cavity organs. Ultrasonography is allowed only 1–2 days after the examination.

2. Radiographic contrast study (irrigoscopy, gastrophagy, CT or MRI with contrast): a contrast medium visualizing on ultrasonography device distorts the view. For contrast agent clearance, approx. 2–3 days are required, after expiration of which it is possible to perform ultrasonography of internals.

However, in such situations doctors recommend to pass ultrasound examination before the above mentioned procedures. Attention! Additional factors that may negatively affect the interpretation of ultrasonography results:

— full intestinal tract (increased gas formation, a patient did not void bowels);

— agitated patient (no active movements during the procedure);

— extreme obesity of the patient.

Preparation for gallbladder ultrasonography with determination of function

Preparation for this examination is almost the same as the preparation for abdomen ultrasonography. The main feature is that you will need the products stimulating gallbladder catastalsis for the examination. Usually, fat sour cream (20%) is used for these purposes. For kids who don't like fermented milk products you may bring black chocolate.
In such cases, gallbladder ultrasonography is performed twice: fasting and after consuming biligenic products, which usually takes more time.

Preparation for kidney ultrasonography

No special preparation is required for kidneys ultrasonography. However, excess weight and excessive gas formation in bowel impede ultrasound diagnostics, and in these cases it is recommended to perform the same preparation as for abdomen ultrasonography.

Preparation for urinary bladder ultrasonography

Urinary bladder ultrasonography is conducted with full bladder. For making the bladder full, drink 1L of any steel liquid 1-1.5 h before the examination (tea, fruit drink, compote, mineral water, etc.) and do not urinate. Ideally, if a patient feels pronounced uriesthesia during ultrasound.
If a patient can't bear with this feeling, the bladder may be slightly drained, but then the patient must drink some beverage to entirely fill the bladder by the time of examination.

Preparation for breast ultrasonography

Very often, breast ultrasonography is performed during phase I of menstrual cycle — on days 5-12 of menses. If necessary, in case of pain, at perimenopausal age, examination may be conducted at any time. Special preparation is not required for this examination.

Preparation for thyroid gland ultrasonography

For thyroid gland ultrasonography no special preparation is required, as the thyroid gland is located in the base of the neck. For kids and senior people, it is recommended to restrain from any meal before the examination.

Preparation for ultrasonography of salivary glands, lymph glands, soft tissues, traditional echocardiography (heart examination), and pleural cavities ultrasonography.

These examinations don't require special preparation.

Transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS) of pelvic organs (women, men, kids)

Before TAUS drink 1-1.5L of water one hour before the examination (until the bladder is moderately full).

Preparation for prostate ultrasonography (Transrectal US)

Transrectal US of prostate is conducted via rectum which must be empty. Before and on the day of examination empty the intestinal tract and rectum with lavement. Besides, in case of ultrasound of prostate the volume of residual urine in the bladder must be determined. For this reason, come to the examination with full bladder.

Transvaginal ultrasonography

It is the next obligatory stage of examining pelvic organs of women. It is conducted after urine bladder emptying. It is more informative, as the examination is conducted directly near examined organs using special transvaginal tool.

Transrectal ultrasonography

More often, such way of diagnostic is applied for men. The method may also be applied to girls for more detailed examination of pelvic organs. Transrectal US is conducted when a patient lies on the left side with knees at the level of stomach.

Preparation for joints ultrasonography

No preparation is required (fasting, water drinking, etc.). However, the examination should not be conducted four to five days after intraarticular injections.

USDS of vessels

Ultrasound Doppler Sonography of lower and upper limb vessels is conducted without preliminary preparation. Before USDS of head and neck vessels exclude:

1. Smoking.

2. Strong tea or caffeine beverages.

3. Anticonvulsive drugs, such as No-Spa, Cinnarizine, Drotaverine, Baralgin, etc.