Patient guide · Ultrasound
Abdominal and pelvic ultrasound, the safe, radiation-free first-line scan for tummy and pelvic symptoms.
A single ultrasound scan that examines the abdominal organs (liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, bladder) and the pelvic organs (uterus, ovaries or prostate). Radiation-free, painless and available the same week.
Why patients choose us
- 01
The right hands
We route you to a consultant radiologist or accredited sonographer — the same person who scans you interprets the images.
- 02
Often answers same-day
Findings can frequently be discussed immediately, with the written report to follow same or next day.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Key facts
What an abdominal and pelvic ultrasound is, at a glance.
The essentials before your appointment — duration, preparation and what makes it different from cross-sectional imaging.
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Definition
Real-time ultrasound of the abdomen and pelvis.
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Radiation
None — sound waves only.
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Duration
30–40 minute test.
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Fasting
6 hours required (for gallbladder views).
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Bladder
Full bladder required (for pelvic views).
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Add-on
Transvaginal / transrectal for detailed pelvic assessment.
Preparation and steps
From arrival to written report — what happens, in order.
A 30–40 minute scan with a short preparation window. One clinician performs the scan and reports it.
- 01
Fast for 6 hours before the scan
Empty stomach and gallbladder give the clearest views of the biliary tree.
- 02
Drink 1L of water 1 hour before
A full bladder acts as an acoustic window for the pelvic organs.
- 03
Change into a gown
A private cubicle and a two-piece gown — no other preparation.
- 04
Warm gel applied to the abdomen
Gel couples the probe to the skin; it is warmed and wipes away easily.
- 05
Curvilinear probe examines each organ
Systematic sweep — liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, bladder, then pelvic organs.
- 06
Transvaginal / transrectal add-on if needed
A smaller probe gives detailed views of the uterus, ovaries or prostate when clinically indicated.
- 07
Written report to your consultant
Full report issued same or next day, with images available for onward review.
What it shows
What an abdominal and pelvic ultrasound can, and can’t, see.
Ultrasound is the first-line answer for solid organs and fluid-filled structures. Bowel gas and body habitus can limit views — MRI or CT often follow if the answer is not on the ultrasound.
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Liver — steatosis, cysts, masses
Fatty change, simple and complex cysts, focal lesions.
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Gallbladder — stones and wall thickening
Cholelithiasis, cholecystitis and biliary wall changes.
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Pancreas — cysts and masses (partial view)
Bowel gas can limit views; MRI or CT often follow if concern remains.
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Kidneys — stones, hydronephrosis, masses
Renal calculi, obstruction and solid or cystic renal lesions.
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Bladder — wall thickening and tumours
Focal wall changes and intraluminal lesions on a full bladder.
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Uterus and ovaries — fibroids and cysts
Uterine size, fibroids, endometrial thickness and adnexal cysts.
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Prostate volume (transabdominal)
A screening measurement — transrectal ultrasound gives the detailed view.
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Red flag: suspicious pancreatic or renal mass — urgent oncology / MRI referral
Any suspicious solid lesion triggers an accelerated onward pathway.
Next steps
What happens after the scan.
Every scan ends with a concrete next step, not just an answer. The onward pathway is decided by the finding, not the scan alone.
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Reassurance if normal
A clean scan and a clear letter — often the whole story.
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Repeat scan at a defined interval for surveillance
For benign cysts or fibroids that only need watching.
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MRI abdomen for further characterisation
When a lesion needs contrast enhancement or better tissue detail.
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CT abdomen if urgent
When speed, staging or a wider field of view is needed.
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Endoscopy (gastroscopy or colonoscopy) if indicated
For luminal disease that ultrasound cannot see.
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Specialist gynaecology or urology referral
Direct onward routing to the right consultant service.
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Multi-disciplinary team review for suspicious findings
Radiology, surgery and oncology discuss the case together.
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Onward oncology pathway for confirmed cancer
Staging, treatment planning and specialist nurse support in place fast.
Red flags
Findings that trigger an urgent pathway.
If any of these appear on the scan, the case is escalated — the reporting consultant contacts your GP or specialist team on the same day.
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Suspicious pancreatic mass
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Renal mass
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Bladder tumour
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Ovarian mass
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Complex ovarian cyst
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Hydronephrosis with sepsis
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Ruptured ectopic pregnancy
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Acute appendicitis
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Free fluid with haemodynamic instability
Reading your report
An ultrasound report can look intimidating. It isn’t.
Whatever the finding, the report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
The report is written for your doctor, not for you — and that’s normal.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and clinical background
Your details, the reason for the scan, and the symptoms that shape interpretation.
- 02 Technique
Probes and views obtained
Which probes were used, which organs were interrogated, and any limitations (e.g. bowel gas).
- 03 Findings
Organ-by-organ description
Liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, bladder and pelvic organs — measurements and features.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
Normal, benign, indeterminate or suspicious — and the concrete next step.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about abdominal and pelvic ultrasound.
Quick answers on fasting, bladder preparation, transvaginal and transrectal views, safety and turnaround.
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What does an abdominal and pelvic ultrasound show?
It looks at the abdominal organs (liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, bladder) and the pelvic organs (uterus and ovaries in women, prostate in men). It answers questions about stones, cysts, masses, obstruction and organ size — without radiation.
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Do I really need to fast for 6 hours?
Yes, for the gallbladder. A fasted gallbladder is distended and easy to see; a contracted gallbladder hides stones. Water is allowed and, for pelvic views, encouraged.
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Why do I need a full bladder?
A full bladder pushes bowel out of the pelvis and acts as an acoustic window onto the uterus, ovaries or prostate. Drink 1L of water an hour before and do not empty your bladder until asked.
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Is transvaginal or transrectal ultrasound painful?
It is not usually painful — mild pressure only. It gives much more detail than a transabdominal view and a chaperone is always offered.
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Is ultrasound safe in pregnancy?
Entirely safe — ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, and is the standard imaging test at any stage of pregnancy.
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How quickly will I get the report?
Findings are usually discussed immediately after the scan, with a formal written report from the reporting consultant same or next day.
Sources
Clinical references.
- Royal College of Radiologists. Guidance on ultrasound services.
- NICE CKS. Abdominal pain — diagnostic imaging.
- British Medical Ultrasound Society. Professional guidelines.
- European Society of Radiology. Ultrasound clinical standards.
Reviewed by Pulse Atlas Editorial Board () · Published 2026-07-30 · Next review 2027-07-30 · 6-minute read.
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In practice, in London
Getting abdominal pelvic ultrasound sorted in London, without the guesswork
With abdominal pelvic ultrasound, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. The wait for abdominal pelvic ultrasound on the NHS depends heavily on where you live and how urgently the referral is graded. Central and West London private clinics can normally book within a week, with imaging or a procedure slot to follow shortly after. It’s worth being honest about the reason for going private: usually it’s time, not a fundamentally different test.
A private abdominal pelvic ultrasound pathway in London usually looks like this: an initial consultation, any diagnostics booked at a nearby facility (most within Zone 1 or 2), and a written report sent to you and your GP within a few days. The consultants we work with hold NHS posts alongside their private lists, which keeps the standards consistent across both settings. For abdominal pelvic ultrasound specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.
We’re careful about what a private pathway for abdominal pelvic ultrasound can and can’t promise. It can compress a wait, put you in front of a subspecialist quickly, and get a proper report in your hands within a week. It can’t rewrite what the imaging or the bloods say. Setting that expectation up front tends to make the whole experience less stressful.