{"id":2561,"date":"2024-08-07T17:59:58","date_gmt":"2024-08-07T17:59:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/exames\/ultrasound\/abdominal-ultrasound-upper-abdomen"},"modified":"2026-01-30T11:46:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T11:46:24","slug":"abdominal-ultrasound-upper-abdomen","status":"publish","type":"exames","link":"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/en\/exams\/ultrasound\/abdominal-ultrasound-upper-abdomen","title":{"rendered":"Abdominal Ultrasound \/ Upper Abdomen"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upper abdominal ultrasound is a first-line imaging exam for the assessment of the abdominal organs. It is simple, quick and non-invasive, allowing real-time visualization of structures such as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys and spleen. Because it does not use radiation, it is considered safe at all ages, including in pregnant women and children.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What is an Upper Abdominal Ultrasound and what is it for?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upper abdominal ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves emitted by a probe, which pass through the tissues and are reflected, generating detailed images of the organs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At X-Clinic, ultrasounds are performed with the latest technology, using high-end High-Resolution Digital Ultrasound equipment, including three-dimensional technology and real-time 3D visualization \u2013 4D, Color Doppler, and panoramic imaging. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is a painless and harmless technique, indicated to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assess the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, kidneys and spleen;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Investigate abdominal symptoms such as pain, nausea or distension;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identify structural changes in internal organs;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Support the early diagnosis of diseases of the digestive and urinary systems;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monitor the progression of known conditions.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How much does an Upper Abdominal Ultrasound cost?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The price of an upper abdominal ultrasound is \u20ac60 on a private basis. However, X-Clinic has the following agreements:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ADSE (the patient only pays the co-payment of \u20ac8), ADM GNR, SAD PSP;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Insurance companies:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> M\u00e9dis, Multicare, Advance Care, Allianz, Sa\u00fade Prime, Future HealthCare, SS CGD, SAMS Quadros, SAMS, Montepio, RNA, Generali, Mudum, MGEN, Aegon, Vit\u00f3ria, Una Seguros, other insurers;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Health Plans:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Medicare, Sa\u00fade Prime, Future HealthCare, Continente Wells, ACP, other health plans. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The final price varies depending on the healthcare system or insurance you wish to use.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>How is it performed?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the ultrasound, the patient lies on an examination table in a dimly lit room to make it easier to see the images. The doctor applies a transparent gel to the skin of the abdomen, which allows proper transmission of the sound waves and helps the probe to glide smoothly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The images are obtained in real time and assessed by the imaging specialist. The exam usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-3262 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/ecografia-abdominal-superior.jpg\" alt=\"upper abdominal ultrasound\" width=\"963\" height=\"490\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/ecografia-abdominal-superior.jpg 963w, https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/ecografia-abdominal-superior-300x153.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/ecografia-abdominal-superior-768x391.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 963px) 100vw, 963px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>What does it detect?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upper abdominal ultrasound allows detailed observation of different organs and structures in the abdomen. It is useful for identifying changes in the liver, such as cysts, nodules or signs of diffuse liver disease, and for assessing the gallbladder, detecting stones (gallstones) or inflammation. It also enables the study of the pancreas, revealing masses or inflammation, as well as the spleen, checking its size and possible lesions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, it can identify dilatation of the biliary or urinary tracts, free fluid in the abdomen and vascular changes using Doppler. This exam is often the first step in the investigation of abdominal symptoms and is also essential in the follow-up of chronic diseases and in monitoring after abdominal surgery.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>In which cases is it indicated?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upper abdominal ultrasound may be requested in several situations, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Persistent or sudden abdominal pain;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nausea, vomiting or digestive changes;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Abdominal bloating or increased abdominal volume;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suspected gallbladder or kidney stones;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assessment of liver changes such as cysts, nodules or chronic liver disease;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Investigation of abdominal masses or tumors;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monitoring of chronic liver, pancreatic or kidney diseases;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Postoperative assessment after abdominal surgery;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Among others.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Preparing for an Upper Abdominal Ultrasound<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You must <\/span><b>fast for 6 hours<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before the exam (do not eat solid food). During this period, you may drink <\/span><b>small amounts of water<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if necessary, but you should avoid sugary drinks, fizzy drinks or coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should continue taking your usual medication as normal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wear clothing that makes it easy to access the area to be examined.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should also bring previous exams (ultrasounds, tests or clinical reports) and the exam prescription.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Where to have it done?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Abdominal ultrasound can be performed at <\/span><b>X-Clinic <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Av. Eng. Duarte Pacheco, n\u00ba26 &#8211; mezzanine floor, 1070-110 Lisbon) or at<\/span><b> NRD <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Avenida Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, n\u00ba 11-B, ground floor, 1070 &#8211; 060 Lisbon &#8211; next to Pra\u00e7a de Espanha)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3166\" src=\"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/ecografo-xclinic.jpg\" alt=\"X-Clinic ultrasound machine\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/ecografo-xclinic.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/ecografo-xclinic-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"parent":2554,"menu_order":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-2561","exames","type-exames","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/exames\/2561","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/exames"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/exames"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/exames\/2554"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2561"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}