Abdominal Scans in Cape Town

Exam Description

Ultrasound is a safe and painless procedure that uses sound waves to assess the structure of your internal body organs. The scan can help diagnose such medical
conditions as abdominal masses, gallbladder disease and gallstones, as well as problems in the liver, kidneys, pancreas or spleen.

How Do I Get Ready For My Exam?

• You must not eat or drink for eight hours before your exam. You can drink a little water to take your medications.
• Please wear comfortable clothing (ideally without metal) and leave your jewellery and valuables at home.

What Should I Do After Arriving For My Exam?

Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment to fill in some paperwork.

What Should I Expect During My Exam?

• The ultrasound technologists will explain your exam and answer any questions you may have.
• Your ultrasound procedure requires you to lay down flat on your back on the scanning table.
• The ultrasound technologists will apply warm gel to the skin of your abdomen. This gel is necessary to help the sound waves to get from the machine into your body.
• A transducer, a small device, will be placed over your abdomen during the examination.
• Sound waves will bounce off certain organs and tissue in your body.
  This creates "echoes" The echoes are reflected back to the transducer, which converts them to electronic signals. A computer then processes the signals into pictures.
• The exam will take approximately 30 minutes.

What Do I Do After My Exam?

• You may resume your normal diet after your examination.
• There are no dietary of physical restrictions following your ultrasound scan.
• The report and images will be send to your referring physician
• A copy can be e-mailed to you as well.