Preparation for ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Preparation for ultrasound of peritoneal space and gastrointestinal tract
- Preparation of the patient. The patient should not take food and water for 8 hours before the test. If fluid intake is necessary to prevent dehydration, clean water can be given. If the symptoms are acute, carry out the test immediately.
Children, if the clinical conditions permit, you must refrain from eating food and water for 3-4 hours before the study. If the child is vomiting or suspected of having hypertrophic stenosis of the pylorus, it is necessary to give him a warm sweet drink without air bubbles to fill the stomach in such a way that it is possible to detect reflux and observe the passage of fluid through the luminary of the gatekeeper.
- Position of the patient. The patient should lie on his back and can be turned, if necessary, into a tilted position. Sometimes it is useful to examine the patient in an upright position.
Select the sensor. For adults, a sensor of 3.5 MHz is used, for children and thin adults a sensor of 5 or 7.5 MHz is used.
Setting the sensitivity level of the device. Start the study by placing the sensor centrally on the upper abdomen (below the xiphoid process). Tilt the sensor to the right side until you get a liver image: adjust the sensitivity to obtain the optimal image.
Start with longitudinal sections around the abdomen; then add transverse and oblique cuts, if necessary pressing on the abdomen to displace gases in the intestine.
Sometimes it is necessary to correlate the data of ultrasound and radiography, since ultrasound can not exclude perforation of the intestine. It is necessary to conduct a radiography in a direct projection in the patient's position on the back and in an upright position (or on all fours).
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