Ultrasound of the hepatobiliary system (GBS ultrasound) is a comprehensive examination of the liver and gallbladder
GBS ultrasound is an ultrasound examination of the hepatobiliary system: liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas and spleen. This is a "single package" of diagnostics for organs that work in a well-coordinated system of education and excretion of bile. A failure in one link is invariably reflected in neighboring markets, therefore, they need to be evaluated together.
In K+31, GBS ultrasound is performed using Doppler vascular mapping: this allows us to evaluate not only the morphology of organs, but also the quality of blood flow in the portal vein, hepatic arteries and splenic vein is critical information for cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and tumors.
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What is included in the study?
GBS ultrasound is an ultrasound examination of the hepatobiliary system: liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas and spleen. This is a "single package" of diagnostics for organs that work in a well-coordinated system of education and excretion of bile. A failure in one link is invariably reflected in neighboring markets, therefore, they need to be evaluated together.
Ultrasound of the hepatobiliary system in K+31 covers five anatomical zones:
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1. The liver
The size, echostructure of the parenchyma, contours, intrahepatic ducts and vessels are evaluated.
Fatty hepatosis, hepatitis (acute and chronic), cirrhosis, fibrosis, steatosis, cysts and hemangiomas, adenomas, metastases and primary liver cancer are detected.
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2. The Gallbladder and Bile Ducts
The size of the gallbladder, wall thickness, and the presence of sludge, gallstones, or polyps are measured; the diameter and patency of the ducts are assessed.
The following conditions are identified: gallstone disease, cholecystitis (acute, chronic, calculous), biliary tract dyskinesia, cholestasis, gallbladder polyps, obstructive jaundice.
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3. Pancreas
The sizes of the head, body, and tail, the structure of the parenchyma, and the diameter of the Wirsung duct are assessed.
The following conditions are identified: pancreatitis (acute, chronic), pancreatic cancer, pseudocysts, and cystic tumors.
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4. Spleen
Vessel size, structure, and condition.
The following are detected: splenomegaly associated with portal hypertension, splenic infarction, cysts, and lymphomatous lesions.
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5. Blood Vessels (Doppler)
Portal vein, hepatic veins and arteries, splenic vein.
Detected: portal vein thrombosis, portal hypertension, Budd-Chiari syndrome, arterial stenosis.
Who needs a GBS ultrasound?
Symptoms that require examination
| Symptom | Possible pathology |
|---|---|
| Pain in the right hypochondrium | Cholecystitis, biliary colic, hepatitis |
| Bitterness in the mouth, belching | Biliary dyskinesia, reflux |
| Nausea, especially after fatty foods | Cholelithiasis, pancreatitis |
| Yellowing of the skin and sclera | Obstructive jaundice, hepatitis, cirrhosis |
| Dark urine, light-colored stools | Bile duct obstruction |
| Abdominal bloating, flatulence | Pancreatic dysfunction |
| Itchy skin | Cholestasis |
| Unexplained weight loss | Oncological process |
Planned readings
- Checkup and preventive examination
- Long-term use of hepatotoxic drugs (statins, antibiotics, NSAIDs, chemotherapy)
- Chronic alcoholism or previous intoxication
- Known gastrointestinal diseases (hepatitis B and C, pancreatitis, cholelithiasis) — dynamic monitoring
- After abdominal surgery
- Blood chemistry abnormalities: increased ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, amylase
Special groups
- Newborns and children — detection of congenital anomalies in the development of biliary dyskinesia, including biliary atresia (emergency indication for surgical treatment)
- Pregnant women — for cholelithiasis and cholestasis of pregnancy; the method is safe at any stage of pregnancy
- Elderly women — age-related screening for pancreatic and gallbladder cancer
Contraindications and restrictions
Ultrasound of the central nervous system is a harmless, non-invasive procedure without radiation exposure. There are no absolute contraindications.
Relative limitations (reduce the information content, but do not prohibit the examination):
- Acute period of illness when preparation is impossible
- Recent X-ray examination with contrast (barium disrupts the acoustic "window")
- Endoscopic examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract performed less than 24 hours ago
- Severe flatulence (gases in the intestines shield the organs)
Preparation for ultrasound of the GBS
Proper preparation is the basis for an informative study.
3 days before:
- Avoid gas-forming foods: legumes, raw vegetables and fruits, milk, carbonated drinks, brown bread, alcohol.
- If you are prone to flatulence, take sorbents (activated charcoal, simethicone) as prescribed by your doctor.
The evening before:
- A light dinner no later than 7:00 PM.
- In the evening, you can take a laxative for constipation (subject to doctor's approval).
On the day of the study:
- On an empty stomach - at least 6-8 hours of fasting (for adults).
- Do not smoke an hour before the study (nicotine causes (biliary tract spasm)
- Drinking still water is permitted (no more than 200 ml)
- Take morning medications after the examination (except for essential ones - check with your doctor)
For children under 1 year: fast for 2-3 hours
For children 1-3 years: fast for 3-4 hours
How does the study proceed?
The patient lies supine on a table. The doctor applies acoustic gel to the abdominal area and moves the transducer, examining all organs sequentially. The procedure takes 20–40 minutes. During the examination, you may be required to change your body position (lie on your side, take a deep breath).
If a functional test with a choleretic breakfast is necessary, the patient is given a glass of heavy cream or sour cream to drink. After 30 and 60 minutes, the gallbladder volume is measured and its contractility is assessed. This allows for the diagnosis of biliary dyskinesia and bladder hypo/hyperkinesia.
What does the patient receive as a result?
- A detailed protocol with a description of each organ, their size, and characteristics.
- Vascular Doppler ultrasound with blood flow parameters.
- Preliminary report indicating the detected changes and recommendations.
- If necessary, immediate consultation with a hepatologist or gastroenterologist. K+31.
Advantages of ultrasound of the central nervous system in K+31
- Hepatologists on the team — if liver pathology is detected, you will receive a consultation with a K+31 hepatologist on the day of the examination
- Doppler ultrasound included in the protocol — vascular assessment at no extra charge
- In-house laboratory — results of liver function tests, biochemistry, and hepatitis markers are available in a single personal account
- Complete patient care — from ultrasound to FGDS, liver biopsy, and treatment in a single clinic
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does an ultrasound of the central nervous system differ from an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity?
Abdominal ultrasound is a more comprehensive examination that also includes the kidneys. Hepatobiliary ultrasound is a targeted examination of the hepatobiliary region, focusing on bile secretion function and the condition of the liver parenchyma. Depending on the indication, these tests can be prescribed either together or separately.
Is it possible to perform an ultrasound of the central nervous system without preparation if acute pain occurs?
Yes, in an emergency, the test is performed without preparation—to rule out acute cholecystitis, biliary colic, and pancreatic necrosis. The information content will be reduced due to gas, but the specialist will still see the main changes.
Will an ultrasound detect pancreatic cancer at an early stage?
Ultrasound is effective in detecting pancreatic tumors ranging from 1–1.5 cm in size. Smaller tumors (<1 cm) are better seen with endoscopic ultrasound or MRI with contrast. If cancer is suspected, a K+31 doctor will prescribe additional imaging techniques and tumor markers.
Is it necessary to do an ultrasound of the gynecological system if the test results are normal?
Yes. Fatty liver disease, gallstones, and liver cysts often occur asymptomatically and with normal laboratory tests. Ultrasound is the most sensitive method for detecting these conditions at the preclinical stage.
How often should I have a gynecological ultrasound?
Healthy adults: once a year as part of a medical examination. For chronic liver or gallbladder diseases: every 3-6 months or as prescribed by a doctor.
Is a gallbladder ultrasound performed with a "choleretic breakfast"? What is it?
Yes. A functional test allows us to assess gallbladder contractility. Before the test and 30 minutes after ingestion of a choleretic food (sour cream, eggs, cream), gallbladder volume is measured. Normal contraction is 50–70% of the initial volume. Deviations indicate biliary dyskinesia.
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