Abdominal, Liver & Gut Health
If you’re struggling with pain or unexplained symptoms in your abdomen and pelvis, or worried about organ health such as your liver or kidneys, an abdominal and pelvic can provide a quick, safe and accurate way to understand what’s happening inside your body.
Abdomen & Pelvis Scan
An overall scan of your liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, gallbladder and surrounding structures including a specialist consultation.
Liver Health Assessment
A comprehensive assessment of your abdomen and liver, using UGAP technology to assess liver fat combined with blood testing.
What do we check for on the scan?
Liver
Assesses liver size, shape, and texture for signs of fatty change, cirrhosis, masses, or cysts.
Checks blood flow and looks for bile duct dilatation or signs of obstruction.
Kidneys
Evaluates kidney size, structure, and symmetry. Looks for stones, cysts, swelling, or masses.
Checks for blockage of urine flow and signs of chronic kidney disease.
Spleen
Measures the size and evaluates the appearance of the spleen. Checks for lesions, injury-related changes, or other abnormalities linked to infection, blood disorders, or portal hypertension.
Pancreas & Gallbladder
Reviews the pancreas for inflammation, masses, or duct enlargement where visible.
Checks the gallbladder for stones, wall thickening, inflammation, and bile duct obstruction.
Lumps, Bumps & Hernias
Examines areas of concern for cysts, solid lumps, fluid collections, or abnormal tissue.
Checks for hernias and whether bowel or fat is protruding through the abdominal wall.
Pelvic Organs & Structures
Evaluates the bladder and nearby pelvic structures for masses, fluid, or structural abnormalities.
May assess uterus/ovaries or prostate (depending on sex) for enlargement, cysts, or other changes.
FAQs
Why might I need an abdominal and pelvic ultrasound scan?
There are many reasons you may need an abdominal and pelvic ultrasound. These include abdominal or pelvic pain, abnormal blood or urine test results, concerns about the abdominal or reproductive organs, or checking for inflammation, tumours, or cancer.
What can I expect during a scan?
It’s normal to feel a bit unsure if this is your first abdomen and pelvic ultrasound. But there’s no need to worry- these scans are quick, gentle, and shouldn’t cause pain.
For the transabdominal scan, you’ll lie on your back while one of our trained specialists applies a gel to your lower belly. This gel helps produce clear images by removing any air between the skin and the probe. The specialist will gently move the ultrasound probe over your abdomen to capture images. Most people find this step completely comfortable, but let us know if any area is sore.
After the scan, we’ll wipe off the gel and give you privacy to get dressed.
If you have opted in to get a transvaginal scan, you’ll be asked to empty your bladder first, then undress from the waist down in private. The transducer is slim-about the size of a tampon-and covered with a sterile cover and gel before being gently placed into the vagina.
Are abdominal and pelvic ultrasound scans painful?
The abdominal part of the scan is usually painless. During a transabdominal scan, most people feel comfortable, though having a full bladder can cause some pressure. Luckily, the scan doesn’t take long.
If you’re having a transvaginal ultrasound, you might feel brief discomfort when the probe is inserted. It’s narrow and shouldn’t hurt, but tell us if anything feels off.
If this position is hard for you, let us know. We can always adjust to make the scan easier for you. Your comfort is important to us.
How does the blood test work?
The blood test is carried out at the same appointment as your ultrasound scan, so everything is completed in one visit. The clinician will ask you a few basic questions and then take some blood from a vein in your arm. We will then send this to the lab for analysis. The time taken for results is specified on the individual blood test pages.
You can view your results on the web portal (provided by email) or by downloading the Forth app.
Do I need to prepare for my blood test?
For the most accurate results, schedule your blood test in the morning, ideally within three hours of waking, and fast for 4-6 hours before your test. We can still complete your blood test if you book outside this window, but it may affect your results. To get accurate results for cortisol, the sample should be collected at 9am.
Drinking water is encouraged. Staying well hydrated helps make the blood collection easier. On the day of your appointment, wear a loose-fitting top so your arm is easily accessible.
Unsure what you need?
Book an online consultation with an abdominal specialist who can help create the right plan for your concerns.
What we do
- Consultant led diagnostic imaging
- Comfortable, informative sessions to give clarity on your health concerns
- Referrals, advice and suggested treatment plans if anything needs to be taken further
