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Liver, Gallbladder and/or Pancreas Ultrasound/Sonogram

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About this Test

Pictures of the abdominal organs are taken with sound waves, not x-rays. Primarily, the sonogram will determine if there are stones in your gallbladder, or if the ducts (tubes) in your liver or pancreas are enlarged.

Why This Test is Done

  • You may have a complaint of right-sided pain, indigestion, nausea, or vomiting.
  • Your doctor may have told you that blood work done during a routine physical examination found that your liver functions were elevated.

Before the Test

You may not eat or drink anything for 8 to 10 hours before the test. If you eat, the gallbladder and ducts will empty to help digest food and will not be easily seen during the test. If your test is scheduled in the morning, we suggest that you eat nothing after midnight the night before the test is scheduled. Medications may be taken with small sips of water.

During the Test

You may be asked to change from your clothes into a hospital gown and lie on an exam table. Warm gel is applied to your abdomen which helps to optimize the images. Pictures will be seen on a computer screen during the exam.

After the Test

You may be asked to wait while the images are reviewed. There are no further restrictions and you may resume your regular diet.

Test Results

The pictures are reviewed by the radiologist and the results are sent to your doctor. The results cannot be given to you by the sonographer administering the test.

If you have any questions, call your physician or call the UPMC Hamot Ultrasound Department at 814-877-2258.

If you cannot keep your appointment, please call our scheduling department at 814-877-6123 to reschedule.