Pancreas ultrasound is part of the examination of the abdominal organs, if there is a certain indication for this. To the ultrasound the readings are as follows:
- Skin and mucosal icterus;
- Constipation followed by diarrhea;
- Swollen abdomen;
- Pain in the left hypochondrium;
- Sensation of severity in the stomach;
- Diabetes mellitus.
Before starting to investigate the size of the gland, it is necessary to facilitate the process of visualization of the pancreas as the air in the stomach and intestines can complicate this task. To unmistakably establish the boundaries of the organ, and, thus, to know whether the size of the gland corresponds to the norm, ultrasound follows 12 hours after eating. The most optimal is the morning time, when the patient goes to the procedure immediately after a night's sleep. Otherwise, in the hollow organs located in the neighborhood, the person gets swallowed during the day by the person's air and smears the boundaries of the organ, thus preventing the exact size of the gland. However, it happens that it is required to urgently conduct an ultrasound after the patient's admission, without waiting for favorable conditions for the procedure. In this case, the results are not entirely accurate and it is difficult to talk about compliance or non-compliance with the norm.
Normally, the structure of the pancreas should be unchanged, and on a black and white device should have a similar echogenicity to the spleen and liver. The ultrasound can examine the tail, body, isthmus, hook-shaped process and gland head, compare the correspondence of their sizes with each other with the norm. For the gland head, the norm is 32 mm, for the body 21 mm, for the tail 35 mm.
Correspondence of pancreatic size is only an auxiliary factor during ultrasound. Important is the picture itself of the organ, which will be different at each stage of pancreatitis. Since the disease can be focal, segmental or total, during ultrasound examination, the pancreatitis is affected by the whole organ or only a part of it.
Usually, with acute pancreatitis in the first phase, ultrasound is monitored for enlarged body sizes and fuzzy contours of the pancreas. When the disease progresses, ultrasound will show the formation of pseudo-toxicity, and if the condition worsens, then abscesses.
If the pancreatic disease has passed into a chronic form, then the ultrasound of the iron will have increased dimensions, wall compaction, structural heterogeneity, a modified contour and other abnormal lesions.
Where to make ultrasound of the pancreas?
Ultrasound is performed in specialized private clinics, or in those state-owned medical facilities where there are special ultrasound machines that enable you to scan and visualize this organ. The procedure requires some preparation from the patient. A detailed consultation regarding it can be obtained by pre-recording on ultrasound. It is recommended to conduct the study in the morning.
What shows ultrasound of the pancreas, what are the normal parameters?
As a rule, ultrasound diagnosis of the pancreas is done not separately, but in conjunction with the study of all organs of the abdominal cavity. At scanning, the expert looks through a liver and a cholic bubble. Also studying the state of the intestine and spleen. In some cases, and testimony, the doctor examines even the stomach.
If the pancreas is completely healthy, its structure is uniform. However, small inclusions can sometimes occur. If the device provides a black and white image, the echogenicity of the tissues of oran will be identical to the liver and spleen.
Carrying out ultrasound, the doctor sees the full structure of the gland, namely: its head, the process. In addition, the specialist determines the condition of the body and tail of the pancreas. Each of these parts has certain regulatory parameters and indicators.
In addition to the organ itself, the doctor who carries out the procedure also checks the pancreatic duct. Especially important is this part of the ultrasound examination in diagnosing pancreatitis or head tumor.
Description, how to check the pancreas of ultrasound?
It is recommended to check pancreas with an ultrasound on an empty stomach. The last meal should be 12 hours before the scheduled procedure. Ultrasound diagnosis is carried out in this way - the patient lies on the couch. On the skin, the specialist applies a special gel and directs the device to the area to be visualized. In order to view the organ's tail, the patient is turned over on his side. Accordingly, the sensor locations are changed as well. In order to check the body and head of the gland, the patient will need to stand up.