An abdominopelvic ultrasound scan (also called an abdominal scan plus pelvic ultrasound scan) is a safe, non-invasive imaging test that uses sound waves to create real-time pictures of organs in your abdomen and pelvis. It does not use radiation. A handheld probe (transducer) is moved over gel on the skin of your tummy and lower abdomen to look at structures such as the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and urinary bladder. The pelvic portion may also assess the uterus and ovaries (in females) or the prostate (in males), depending on the clinical question.

This ultrasound scan does not “measure” a single number like a blood test. Instead, it evaluates the size, shape, and appearance of organs; looks for fluid, stones, cysts, masses, or blockages; and can assess blood flow when Doppler ultrasound is used. Results are typically reported as:

Normal: Organs look the expected size and texture with no signs of inflammation, stones, obstruction, masses, or abnormal fluid.

Abnormal findings: The scan may show issues such as gallstones, kidney stones, fatty liver, enlarged organs, cysts, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, bladder retention, or signs of infection/inflammation. An “abnormal” ultrasound does not always mean cancer; many findings are benign and simply help guide the next steps (monitoring, medication, further imaging such as CT/MRI, or specialist referral).

Doctors commonly request an abdominopelvic ultrasound scan when symptoms suggest a problem in the abdominal or pelvic organs, or to follow up known conditions. It is often chosen first because it is widely available, painless, and provides quick information.

It may be ordered if you have:

Abdominal symptoms such as persistent or severe tummy pain (especially right upper abdominal pain), bloating, a feeling of fullness, a new lump, or tenderness.

Digestive or liver-related concerns such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin/eyes), abnormal liver function tests, suspected fatty liver, hepatitis follow-up, or suspected bile duct blockage.

Gallbladder symptoms including pain after fatty meals, nausea/vomiting, or suspected gallstones or gallbladder inflammation.

Kidney and urinary symptoms like flank/back pain, blood in urine, recurrent urinary tract infections, suspected kidney stones, reduced urine output, or possible urinary obstruction/hydronephrosis.

Pelvic symptoms

Unexplained swelling or fluid: To look for abdominal fluid (ascites) or evaluate an enlarged abdomen.

Follow-up and monitoring: To keep an eye on known cysts, fibroids, fatty liver, kidney disease, or previously seen findings, and to guide procedures (for example, fluid drainage or biopsy planning in selected cases).

• Gallstones (cholelithiasis) and gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis)
• Fatty liver disease (hepatic steatosis) and liver enlargement
• Liver cysts, benign liver lesions (e.g., haemangioma), and suspected liver tumours
• Bile duct dilation/obstruction (e.g., choledocholithiasis)
• Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) and urinary tract obstruction/hydronephrosis
• Kidney cysts and chronic kidney disease changes
• Urinary bladder retention, bladder stones, and bladder wall abnormalities
• Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH) and suspected prostate-related urinary blockage
• Uterine fibroids and adenomyosis
• Ovarian cysts and adnexal masses
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and related pelvic complications
• Ascites (abdominal fluid) from liver, heart, or other medical causes
• Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen)

• Investigating the cause of ongoing abdominal or pelvic pain and reassuring when findings are normal
• Monitoring liver health (e.g., fatty liver follow-up and evaluation after abnormal liver blood tests)
• Checking gallbladder health and preventing complications from gallstones
• Supporting kidney and urinary tract health by identifying stones, obstruction, or urinary retention early
• Evaluating pelvic health (uterus/ovaries or prostate) for common causes of bleeding, pain, or urinary symptoms
• Tracking known findings (such as cysts, fibroids, or organ enlargement) to guide treatment decisions
• General diagnostic screening when symptoms are non-specific and a broad abdominal scan is needed to narrow the cause