Ultrasound of the stomach - how it is done and what it is used for, interpretation of the results. What you need to know about the stomach ultrasound procedure. Is it possible to do an ultrasound on a full stomach?

In gastroenterology, transabdominal ultrasound of the stomach is often performed instead of a standard examination using the FGS method. The procedure is allowed for children and adult patients. This method allows you to assess the general condition, size, functionality of the organ and the advisability of prescribing a more extensive diagnosis of the stomach.

Possibilities of ultrasound examination in gastrology

Transabdominal ultrasound (sonography) is the safest way to diagnose the stomach. Ultrasound is performed using high-frequency waves, inaudible to humans. They are analyzed by a special program and converted into an image on the device’s monitor. Medical equipment allows you to take a photo of an organ in real time. If prescribed by a doctor, the pancreas, duodenum and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract or organs of the digestive system can be simultaneously examined.

The only contraindication for transabdominal ultrasound is an open wound, burns or other damage to the skin on the abdomen. In Moscow medical institutions in November 2018, the price of such sonography starts from 500 rubles.

What does an ultrasound of the stomach show:

location, shape and structure of the organ;
stomach length;
anteroposterior and transverse dimensions of the organ;
the thickness of the walls of the stomach and their structure;
motor-evacuation function of the organ;
the nature of the intragastric contents, including foreign bodies;
localization and size of ulcer, inflammation, polyp, other deviation from the norm.

In the case of ultrasound with elastography, the program displays a color image on the monitor. This method allows you to further evaluate the nature of neoplasms or compactions in the tissues of the stomach without a biopsy. Usually in clinics the procedure is used to examine the abdominal organs, and not a separate part of the gastrointestinal tract. In Moscow, the cost of ultrasound with elastography starts from 700 rubles.

There is also endosonography of the stomach. This is a combined diagnostic method in which ultrasound examination is performed from inside the organ after swallowing a special device. Using this method, you can evaluate the structure of the walls layer by layer, determine the nature of the tumors by taking a biopsy sample, and perform a minimally invasive operation under the supervision of the device. In Moscow, endosonography is performed at a cost of at least 1,800 rubles.

Note! Pediatric gastroenterologists answer in the affirmative the question of whether transabdominal ultrasound of the intestines and stomach is performed for newborns. During the procedure, there is no need to swallow the device, use contrast agents, or use equipment with radiation. There are no other factors that could harm the baby.

Examination during pregnancy

Do pregnant women undergo an ultrasound of the stomach and what does it show? This is a safe procedure that can be performed multiple times in the 1st–3rd trimester. But according to diagnosticians and gastroenterologists, examination of the abdominal organs after 36 weeks of pregnancy is not advisable. The fetus compresses and displaces all structures of the digestive system, so it is not possible to conduct a quality examination.

Indications for ultrasound examination in gastrology

For newborns, an ultrasound examination of the stomach is performed if there is frequent vomiting after feeding, excessive regurgitation, or no weight gain. The procedure is also prescribed for infants in order to exclude congenital defects of the organ or foreign objects entering its cavity.

For children older than 1 month and adult patients, ultrasound is prescribed in case of suspicion:

reflux disease (GERD, DGR);
gastritis;
ulcers;
varicose veins of the gastric veins;
inflammation of the duodenum;
stenosis of a separate area of the organ;
colitis;
lymphomas;
intestinal obstruction;
cancer development;
formation of neoplasms;
the presence of polyps, cysts, and other disorders.

Regardless of age, an ultrasound examination of the intestines and/or stomach is performed to determine the causes of chronic or prolonged constipation. Using transabdominal ultrasound, the effectiveness of treatment of the identified pathology is also assessed.

Preparatory stage for ultrasound examination

Three days of preparation for ultrasound with/without elastography of the stomach and/or intestines. At this time, you need to follow a diet, but the diet must be complete. Only raw fruits and vegetables, milk, kvass, carbonated drinks, sauerkraut, legumes and other products that contribute to irritation of the mucous membranes, the development of flatulence, and bloating are excluded from the menu.

During preparation for an ultrasound, it is advisable to:

Gastroenterologists recommend eating the last time before an ultrasound 12 hours before the procedure. But this time is shorter for newborns, children, diabetics and people regularly taking medication. The duration of the strict hunger strike is discussed individually with the doctor, and the diagnostician is notified.

Attention! Transabdominal ultrasound is performed on an empty stomach. On the day of the stomach examination, you should not eat anything and take antispasmodics or acetylsalicylic acid. If hunger pangs occur, diabetics can drink 150 ml of warm tea with crackers (the diagnostician is warned about this). It is not advisable to smoke 8 hours before the procedure, since tobacco smoke residue can distort the ultrasound results.

Technique for performing the procedure for adults and children

The technique for performing transabdominal sonography of the stomach does not differ in patients of different ages. The course of ultrasound also does not change if elastography is additionally used. If pain occurs, the patient must immediately notify the diagnostician; sometimes it is necessary to stop the procedure.

Algorithm for ultrasound examination of the stomach:

There are differences in how transabdominal ultrasound and endosonography of the stomach are done. For high-quality endosonography, a person’s throat is treated with an anesthetic and an endoscope tube with a sonograph sensor is allowed to swallow. Then the subject lies down on the couch and does not move for at least 45 minutes. According to diagnosticians and patients, the procedure causes severe discomfort; in some cases, EUS is performed under general anesthesia.

Useful video

Experts explain how informative this type of diagnosis is in this video.

Interpretation of ultrasound results

Everything that an ultrasound scan shows during an examination of the stomach must be deciphered by the treating gastroenterologist.

If normal, ultrasound images of the stomach do not show:

organ displacement;
structural anomalies;
seal in the wall;
heterogeneous surface of the organ;
tissue proliferation;
increase in wall thickness;
fluid accumulation;
deviation from the norm of echogenicity of gastric structures.

In the case of the formation of neoplasms, cysts, or polyp growth, the image shows areas of narrowing of the stomach cavity, a change in the density, and an uneven surface of the walls. With pyloric stenosis, the pylorus thickens. The development of GERD is accompanied by the reflux of fluid into the esophagus from the upper part of the organ, which is visible in the image as an anechoic column.

Afterword

You should seek help from a gastroenterologist if you experience discomfort in the abdomen, frequent colic, pain along the gastrointestinal tract, persistent bitterness in the mouth; constant flatulence, nausea, belching, stool disturbances, loss of appetite. These symptoms may indicate the development of a stomach disease, which requires an ultrasound scan.

Based on the results of the examination, it is possible to use other methods of diagnosing the organ.

Ultrasound of the stomach (ultrasound examination) is one of the types of echography. Helps assess the condition of the digestive organ. The method is rarely used to identify certain abnormalities; patients are usually prescribed endoscopy. The method is absolutely safe and convenient, but less effective than other methods. With ultrasound, it is not possible to take a biopsy, through which the nature of the lesion is established. Most often, ultrasound examination is prescribed for children.

Diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases involves an ultrasound scan of the stomach

Ultrasound of the stomach and esophagus is indicated if the presence of diseases of the digestive organ is suspected. Ultrasound examination is a classic method of examination. Based on its results, additional diagnostic methods are recommended.

An abdominal ultrasound is performed on an empty stomach. The technique has both advantages and disadvantages. The examination does not take much time. Lasts up to 20 minutes.

Ultrasound examination is absolutely safe for the human body. The diagnostic method allows:

assess the condition of the walls of the digestive organ;
identify deviations in the digestion process;
assess the condition of blood vessels;
examine nearby lymph nodes.

Ultrasound allows you to assess the condition of the stomach walls

The disadvantages of the procedure include the impossibility of taking material for research, since the biopsy is taken during endoscopy.

Using ultrasound, the condition is studied:

gatekeeper;
sections of the digestive organ;
part of the duodenum.

It is not possible to study other parts of the stomach in all cases, which means that ultrasound is not enough to establish an accurate diagnosis.

Patients are often interested in whether they do an ultrasound of the stomach and what it shows. The procedure for examining the abdominal cavity is rarely prescribed, as it is ineffective and does not allow a complete study of the digestive organ. It is performed in combination with endoscopy.

Ultrasound is usually performed together with endoscopy of the stomach

Indications for use

Ultrasound examination is indicated for suspected presence of:

inflammation in the digestive organ;
cancerous or benign tumors;
narrowing of the pylorus;
abnormalities in the functioning of the intestine;
deviations in embryonic formation.

An ultrasound of the child’s stomach is often prescribed. This is due to the fact that the procedure is harmless, and the method itself does not cause any discomfort.

Children often undergo ultrasound of the stomach

An ultrasound examination may be prescribed in the presence of unpleasant symptoms that may be present with abnormalities in the functioning of the digestive organ. Ultrasound is recommended for complaints of:

frequent gag reflex and severe nausea;
regular presence of bitterness in the mouth;
pain in the upper abdomen of varying intensity;
constant dry cough.

An ultrasound is prescribed for a patient who complains of constant bowel movements. Constipation may alternate with diarrhea. The sick person may feel a feeling of fullness in the digestive organ, regardless of the amount of food consumed.

Ultrasound may be prescribed for complaints of abdominal pain

What can be diagnosed using the procedure

Using ultrasound, a large number of abnormalities can be diagnosed. What ultrasound shows in the stomachs of children and adults is described in the table.

Abnormality that can be detected on ultrasound	Features of pathology and diagnosis
Gastritis	To establish the deviation, the patient must make 2-3 turns of the body. The diagnosis is confirmed if during this period fluid is thrown from the intestines into the stomach. The pathology is characterized by inflammation in the digestive organ. Accompanied by pain and nausea.
Ulcer of the digestive organ	Ultrasound most accurately shows pathology when the defect is large. Based on the study, the doctor provides a referral for other diagnostic methods. The deviation is characterized by damage to the mucous membrane of the digestive organ.
Tumors	For patients who want to know what can be seen on an ultrasound of the stomach, it is important to remember that the method can detect benign and malignant neoplasms. Once the presence of a tumor is established, a referral for a biopsy is given.
Inflammatory process	Using ultrasound, the doctor determines the position of the digestive organ and the thickness of its walls.

Thickening of the stomach wall can be detected on ultrasound. This signals the presence of polyps - benign neoplasms. In the future, they can become malignant, that is, there is a high risk of the presence of cancerous tumors. The patient may require urgent surgery.

In some cases, an ultrasound with barium is prescribed

Ultrasound of the stomach with barium allows you to monitor the condition of the organ. Thanks to the diagnostic method, it is possible to detect the development of complications in the form of ulcers and polyps in time and begin to eliminate them.

The procedure allows you to detect various inflammatory processes and their location. The patient receives the diagnostic result immediately after the procedure.

How to prepare for diagnosis

Preparation for the stomach ultrasound procedure begins with following a diet. It is recommended to change your diet 2 weeks before the test. It is prohibited to consume foods that cause excessive gas formation:

cabbage;
kefir;
rye bread;

A few weeks before the procedure, cabbage and other foods that increase gas formation should be excluded from the diet.

peas;
carbonated drinks.

The patient should not eat fresh baked goods. The bread is pre-dried. Alcohol-containing drinks are excluded.

The last meal before the procedure should be taken in the evening no later than 20:00. Then it is advisable to drink a laxative medicine. On the day of the procedure, the patient is strictly prohibited from smoking.

The patient should find out in advance how to prepare for an ultrasound of the stomach. Only if all recommendations are followed will the result be most accurate.

You should not eat breakfast before the ultrasound.

Children are allowed a break between meals and the procedure to range from 3 to 6 hours, depending on age. Adults are strictly prohibited from eating in the morning on the day of the ultrasound. You will be able to have breakfast only after diagnosis. Compliance with the diet is mandatory. If you are predisposed to constant flatulence, consuming foods that increase gas formation will interfere with obtaining an objective and accurate result.

Thus, an abdominal ultrasound is always performed on an empty stomach. You are first allowed to drink only purified non-carbonated water.

Procedure process

The procedure is carried out using a special device. A special gel is applied to the patient's abdomen. In this case, the sick person should be in a horizontal or semi-sitting position.

The patient must first check with the staff how an ultrasound of the stomach is performed. The procedure is carried out in the morning. The doctor may first allow you to drink a small amount of water.

During the examination, the doctor evaluates:

stomach shape;
stomach position;
thickness of the walls of the digestive organ.

The results are provided to the patient immediately after the procedure. They need to be sent to a gastroenterologist for interpretation.

A gastroenterologist should interpret the results of the study

Procedure with contrast

Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity with contrast is a procedure that is performed on a full stomach. First, the patient should drink about half a liter of purified still water. The method is similar to fluoroscopy of the digestive organ.

Contrast ultrasound of the stomach with a water-siphon test for a child or adult can detect:

neoplasms of various types;
ulcerative pathology;
hiatal hernia;
gastroduodenitis.

The method is not used to diagnose gastritis and duodenal ulcers. In the presence of such pathologies, the study is considered uninformative. During the procedure, the patient is examined on an empty stomach, after the digestive organ has been filled and emptied.

For gastritis, ultrasound will not help make a diagnosis.

The procedure is carried out only as prescribed by a doctor. Therefore, if you suspect the presence of pathologies of the digestive organ, contact a gastroenterologist. If necessary, the doctor will recommend a diagnostic method and tell you where to do an ultrasound of the stomach.

Diagnostic results

The diagnostic results must be deciphered by a doctor. After the ultrasound, the patient should visit the gastroenterologist again. Based on the results, additional research methods may be recommended to the patient.

Patients often try to figure out on their own how ultrasound of the stomach is done for children and adults, as well as how to decipher the result. Any questions should be directed only to your attending physician. Otherwise, there is a risk of obtaining incorrect diagnostic results.

An experienced doctor should give an opinion and prescribe treatment based on the results of ultrasound.

Normally, sections of the organ look like oval ring-shaped formations. The wall thickness should be up to 6 mm in the proximal sections and up to 9 in the pyloric section. The wall must contain 5 layers. The thickness of the submucosal membrane should be up to 2.5 mm. The internal surface of the organ should be uniform. During an ultrasound of the stomach, the doctor also evaluates the condition of the surrounding tissues, so it is almost impossible to decipher the results on your own.

Read also: comprehensive information about ultrasound, MRI and CT.

You will learn about the features of abdominal ultrasound from this video:

Ultrasound of the stomach and duodenum

Ultrasound of the stomach is not among the basic methods of examining this organ. The stomach is located in such a way that its visualization using ultrasound is not an easy task. Ultrasound clearly shows the antrum of the stomach, closest to the pylorus - the place where the stomach enters the duodenum, as well as the initial segment of the duodenum. Visualizing other structures may be problematic. However, since most lesions of the stomach are located in the outlet section, ultrasound of the stomach has real diagnostic value. Unlike a more informative diagnostic method - gastroscopy, ultrasound of the stomach is a painless procedure. Therefore, it is often used for primary diagnosis, especially in children.

Indications

The study is carried out in patients with suspected diseases and conditions of the stomach and intestines:

gastritis, duodenitis, peptic ulcer;

oncological pathology;

impaired motility of the digestive tract;

perforation of the organ wall;

reduction of the lumen of the pyloric part of the stomach;

congenital developmental anomalies, etc.

This is not the entire list of pathologies that can be diagnosed based on the results of the study. However, the doctor decides which method to choose for diagnosis - ultrasound, endoscopy, CT, MRI.

Contraindications

Ultrasound diagnostics has no contraindications. But it may not be informative enough in patients with developed subcutaneous fat in the abdominal wall area.

Advantages

The study is carried out transabdominally, that is, the device’s sensor sends ultrasonic waves and records their reflection from the internal organs through the abdominal wall. Ultrasound is absolutely painless and does not cause any discomfort, so it is often prescribed if endoscopy is not possible.

The technique allows you to control the progress of other diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, since the image is constantly broadcast on the screen, in real time.

Ultrasound diagnostics does not create radiation exposure for the patient, so it can be performed regardless of age, even for children. It is allowed for pregnant women and during breastfeeding.

Flaws

During an ultrasound of the stomach and intestines, the doctor cannot perform:

biopsy of suspicious areas of the gastrointestinal mucosa;

collection of gastric juice or intestinal contents for further analysis.

Preparing for the study

Ultrasound of the stomach and duodenum is performed strictly on an empty stomach. The last meal should be no later than seven or eight o'clock in the evening.

For 3-4 days before the study, you should follow a diet that excludes foods that cause gas formation - black bread, legumes, carbonated drinks, cabbage, fresh vegetables and fruits, strong coffee, smoked meats, sweets, etc. If there are no individual contraindications, baked, boiled or steamed poultry or lean meats, boiled potatoes, water porridge, rice, and low-fat cheese are best. At the same time, you need to take food 4-5 times a day.

You will need to have a bowel movement the day before; you can use a laxative, but not an enema.

10-15 minutes before the start of the ultrasound examination, the patient needs to drink 1 liter of liquid. As a rule, use ordinary still water, or juice. The liquid entering the stomach improves visualization of the organ. In addition, this is how the evacuation function can be assessed: a specialist measures the time it takes for water to travel further along the digestive tract into the intestines.

The volume of liquid that a child needs to drink before the test is determined by the specialist depending on the age of the little patient.

The doctor sending you for examination will tell you more about the preparation. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask them and clarify everything. Proper preparation is an important factor in effective research.

How it goes

The ultrasound examination of the stomach and intestines itself requires 15-20 minutes; preparing a conclusion requires another 10 minutes.

The doctor applies a special gel to the skin of the examined area, which improves the glide of the sensor and facilitates the passage of ultrasound waves. Next, the specialist studies the size and location of the gastrointestinal tract organs, their condition, the presence of pathological formations, and the quality of blood flow in the vessels. To obtain the most objective information, ultrasound is performed in different positions of the patient’s body (lying on his back, on his side, sitting, standing).

Analysis of results

Ultrasound of the stomach and intestines allows you to determine their physical dimensions, topographic location in the abdominal cavity, wall thickness, structural features, the condition of surrounding tissues, the presence of pathological changes, characteristics of blood flow in large vessels, and evaluate the evacuation function.

The doctor sees the ultrasound picture of the internal organs on the monitor screen of the ultrasound machine in real time. It analyzes key indicators, makes a conclusion about the condition of the organs being examined and enters the information into the electronic medical record. You can see the doctor’s findings in your personal account on the clinic’s website and in the mobile application.

If you are looking for where to get an ultrasound of the stomach and duodenum in Moscow, contact the clinics of the Family Doctor network. Below you can check the price of the service, and also sign up for an ultrasound scan at a clinic located in the most convenient area of Moscow for you.

For several decades, ultrasound has been used by specialists to assess the condition of parenchymal organs. With the improvement of devices and sensors, the capabilities of this diagnostic method have significantly expanded.

Currently, any internal organs can be examined using ultrasound. The stomach and intestines are no exception. When scanning these organs, the structure of the wall is visualized with the definition of layers, changes are identified, and the involvement of healthy tissues in the pathological process is assessed.

Why is an ultrasound of the intestines and stomach performed?

In recent years, the number of problems that can be solved thanks to ultrasound examination of the gastrointestinal tract has increased significantly. This diagnostic method allows you to determine the condition of internal organs, evaluate echographic characteristics, and draw conclusions about the presence or absence of any pathologies.

Ultrasound of the stomach and intestines is prescribed if there are certain indications. These are the patient's complaints:

pain in the abdominal area;
dyspeptic symptoms (nausea, vomiting, belching, heartburn, bitter taste and dry mouth);
disruption of intestinal function (diarrhea, constipation, the appearance of pathological impurities in feces);
weight loss, weakness and fever that occur for unknown reasons.

Indications for ultrasound are also history data. The study is carried out when the clinical picture of the existing disease is unclear, the presence of bruises and abdominal injuries. A scan may be prescribed after receiving the results of an objective examination or laboratory tests (for example, an ultrasound is necessary when identifying palpable formations or detecting occult blood in the stool).

How is the research conducted?

Preparatory measures

To obtain reliable results, you must properly prepare for scanning. Those people who suffer from flatulence should pay special attention to this, because the presence of gases in the intestines affects the echographic picture. To stabilize the functioning of internal organs, it is necessary to remove certain foods from your daily menu a couple of days before the examination:

black bread;
raw vegetables and fruits;
dairy products;
legumes

For people with disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, specialists sometimes prescribe enzyme preparations (for example, Festal, Pancreatin) before the study. Activated charcoal and Espumisan can help with bloating. It is recommended to take these drugs during the preparatory period according to the regimens specified in the instructions.

It is not recommended to eat food before visiting the ultrasound room. The study is carried out strictly on an empty stomach, so most often it is prescribed to patients in the first half of the day. If the ultrasound is scheduled for daytime, then you can eat and drink 6 hours before the scan (at least).

Another important aspect of preparation is bowel cleansing. This can be done naturally. If there is a problem such as constipation, then experts recommend that their patients do a cleansing procedure with an enema on the eve of an ultrasound scan of the gastrointestinal tract.

Ultrasound process

The examination of an empty stomach is performed with the patient lying on his back, on his left and right side and with turns. The scan can also be performed in an upright position (standing or sitting). After the examination, the specialist may ask the patient to drink about 0.5–1 liter of boiled water or 0.3–0.5 percent citric acid solution. This is necessary for the next diagnostic stage - scanning the stomach filled with liquid.

An ultrasound examination of the intestine begins with the sick person lying on his back. During scanning, palpation is performed, observing changes on the device screen. To better study the intestines, specialists ask patients to breathe calmly or inhale and exhale. When performing an ultrasound, the position of the person being examined changes. He turns on his sides, sits down, stands up, and takes a knee-elbow position.

It should be noted that examining the intestines using ultrasound is a rather complex diagnostic procedure. Specialists are not always able to accurately localize parts of the intestine. The reason for this is peristalsis, the movement of contents inside. Some sections are located atypically and are mistaken by researchers for completely different parts of the intestine.

Ultrasound irrigoscopy deserves special consideration. This is a study of the colon.

It has the following features:

14 hours and 2 hours before the study, a cleansing procedure is performed using an enema;
Ultrasound irrigoscopy is performed in the morning;
To conduct an examination, a physiological solution is injected into the patient’s body through the rectum using a dropper (volume - from 1 to 2 liters, temperature - about 36-37 degrees);
the introduction of fluid is controlled and carried out until the cecum is filled;
During the administration of saline solution and examination, specialists ask the patient several times to change position.

What are doctors looking for?

Specialists, performing an ultrasound of the stomach and moving the sensor across the patient’s abdomen, perform the following actions:

Assess the location and condition of the internal organ on an empty stomach. In healthy people, the volume of contents and characteristics of the stomach walls coincide with the standards.
The shape of the organ is assessed after taking the required volume of liquid. During this stage, a normal variant or a pathological change may be identified.
Peristaltic waves and evacuation of internal organ contents are studied. The information obtained allows us to assess the motor-evacuation function of the stomach.
Benign and malignant neoplasms, as well as non-neoplastic lesions, are detected.
The identified pathological change is assessed, its localization, shape, contours, structure, size and condition of the regional lymph nodes of the stomach are determined.

During an intestinal scan, ultrasound doctors also take the necessary measurements and evaluate:

identify affected areas, determine their shape;
evaluate the uniformity of wall thickness and degree of echogenicity;
measure the maximum wall thickness of the affected area of the intestine;
carry out measurements of the lumen, etc.

What pathologies do doctors find?

One of the diseases detected during ultrasound examination is chronic gastric ulcer. This term refers to a local defect in the mucous membrane of an internal organ that occurs due to the effects of hydrochloric acid, bile, and pepsin.

Signs of a peptic ulcer are pain in the epigastric region, heartburn, belching with a sour taste, nausea and vomiting after eating, weight loss.

When performing an ultrasound for a peptic ulcer, a symptom of an affected hollow organ (HV) is detected. As a rule, it is characterized by:

correct form;
symmetrical appearance;
diameter approximately 27 mm;
moderate wall thickening.

After filling the organ with fluid, a more reliable diagnosis of ulcers is possible. The disease causes two symptoms: periulcerative thickening of the gastric wall and ulcerative defect. The first is manifested by a low echogenic area surrounding the affected area. An ulcerative defect is characterized by echogenic content.

Polyp on a leg

Very often polyps are detected - benign tumors. On echograms they appear as formations that protrude into the lumen of the cavity of the internal organ. Polyps vary in shape. When scanning the gastrointestinal tract, they can reveal legs.

For malignant neoplasms localized in the stomach, the echographic signs are very diverse. A symptom of PPO is detected. It is characterized by irregular shapes, a large outer diameter (approximately 36 mm), and a pronounced peripheral part, reflecting uneven thickening of the wall. When tumors recur, enlarged lymph nodes and metastatic damage to other internal organs are noted.

Examination of the intestines, ultrasound of the esophagus and stomach can reveal signs of Crohn's disease. This is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects absolutely any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Most often, pathological changes are detected in the large and small intestines. With pronounced changes, an ultrasound examination reveals a symptom of PPO. Most often it is localized in the right iliac region.

It is characterized by an irregular, asymmetrical shape with an anechoic, uneven peripheral part, a narrow, irregularly shaped center, and pronounced disproportions of the affected area.

Based on the results of an intestinal ultrasound, the following diseases may also be suspected:

tuberculosis of the gastrointestinal tract;
nonspecific ulcerative colitis;
colon diverticulosis;
intestinal obstruction;
malignant neoplasms.

To summarize, it is worth noting that ultrasound examination of the gastrointestinal tract is a diagnostic procedure with many advantages. The most important of them is information content. Ultrasound allows specialists to identify pathological changes in internal organs without entering the patient’s body. Another important advantage is safety. An ultrasound can be prescribed to anyone, regardless of age. existing diseases. The examination does not have any negative impact on people.

Recently, doctors are increasingly resorting to a diagnostic method such as ultrasound. It is used to determine certain diseases of the stomach and intestines. Let's see what does an ultrasound of the stomach show? Can an ultrasound show an ulcer, or can an ultrasound show stomach cancer? Let's figure this out.

Ultrasound of the stomach is a relatively recent method of diagnosis, but recently it has become very common. This method is not as informative as, for example, gastroscopy, but it is completely painless and is performed on patients regardless of age. The list of diseases that can be detected using ultrasound is not long.

By performing an ultrasound, you can check the condition of the following parts of the organ:

- small as well as large curvature;
— pyloric canal with pyloric cave;
- sphincter and part of the body of the organ itself;
- section of the duodenum.

The above sections of the organ are more often exposed to diseases, so ultrasound plays an important role in diagnosing ailments.

What does a stomach ultrasound show? By scanning you can detect the following diseases:

- the presence of foreign bodies in the sinus of the organ;
- thickening or swelling of the walls;
- varicose veins;
- the occurrence of various neoplasms (both benign and cancerous);
- as well as hernia;
- Ultrasound shows;
- inflammation of the mucous membrane;
— ERD (disease) and others.

Indications for diagnostics

- constant heartburn;
- frequent belching, vomiting;
- impaired digestion;
- pain in the upper abdomen.

Ultrasound examination is also used for prevention after treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, in order to prevent the development of exacerbations in chronic forms.

An ultrasound scan is required for the following indications in adults:

- if you suspect a peptic ulcer or gastritis;
- if you suspect cancer;
— with congenital anomalies of the digestive organs;
- with intestinal obstruction;
- with narrowing of the pylorus of the stomach (pyloroduodenal stenosis).

In childhood, there are separate indications for ultrasound diagnostics:

- frequent bronchitis;
- asthma;
- dry cough;
- regurgitation of the baby in large quantities;
- abdominal pain;
- stool disorders;
- causeless nausea and vomiting.

What does an ultrasound of the stomach show?

During ultrasound diagnostics, the doctor analyzes the general condition of the stomach and neighboring tissues and organs. Doctors often hear the question: can an ultrasound show a stomach ulcer? Let's consider what pathologies can be detected using ultrasound:

Diaphragmatic hernia. But this study cannot determine its exact dimensions.
In rare cases, cystic formations.
If there is fluid in the cardinal part of the organ, gastroesophageal reflux can be detected.
In childhood, symptoms of stenosis can be identified.
Swelling of the stomach walls.
Genetically hereditary mesenchymal tumors.
Varicose veins of the stomach.
Diffuse form of neoplastic wall seals.
Oncological and benign neoplasms.
Aberrantly developed tumor vessels.
Acquired pyloric stenosis.

Doctors are also often faced with the question: can an ultrasound show stomach cancer?

After examining, the specialist will assess the condition of the lymph nodes. Their increase can often indicate the development of cancer. To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes additional tests and studies. Oncological diseases are characterized by deformation, narrowing of the stomach cavity, and pathologies in the process of gas exchange.

Diagnostic technique

How is ultrasound diagnosis of the stomach performed? The examination is carried out externally. To do this, the patient must expose his stomach and take a lying position on his side or back. Using a special sensor, the doctor conducts a scan, and the result is displayed on the monitor. As a result, the doctor receives both a transcript and a photo.

The procedure itself is divided into 3 stages:

Stage 1: 15 minutes before the ultrasound, the patient drinks one liter of liquid (concentrated juice, boiled water or juice diluted with water). This is necessary so that the main organ of the digestive system straightens out and diagnostics allows us to see all possible changes and pathologies.

Stage 2: the patient again drinks a small amount of liquid. The doctor diagnoses a stomach containing fluid by looking at changes in the internal organs.

Stage 3: after 20 minutes, the doctor conducts another study (third) in order to determine the speed at which the stomach empties and determine the motor function of the organ.

The procedure is carried out on an empty stomach. During an ultrasound, the doctor analyzes the shape and location of the stomach, the thickness of its walls and, of course, the presence of deformities.

Preparation for examination in adults

Preparation for an ultrasound of the stomach is very simple. The only important requirement is a strict diet. A few days before the diagnosis, you need to exclude from the menu such foods that contribute to the formation of gases (legumes, fermented milk, fresh cabbage and fruits, sweets and others). You can take Enterosgel or Espumisan. The ultrasound is performed on an empty stomach, and for this reason, the last meal should be 12-14 hours before the procedure. It is advisable to refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol.

Preparing for examination in children

For children, preparation for the procedure is a little gentler. Children of preschool and primary school age are recommended to fast for 6-8 hours before the procedure. The liquid before the ultrasound is drunk in the amount of 0.5 liters. But for infants, ultrasound is performed immediately after feeding. And fasting can last 3-3.5 hours.

Advantages of ultrasound diagnostics

Let's get acquainted with the main advantages of ultrasound examination:

speed of implementation;
painlessness of the procedure;
harmless to the patient;
information content of the procedure and high resolution of the devices.

It must be remembered that timely diagnosis and treatment will prevent the development of unpleasant and dangerous pathologies of the digestive organs.