Private Abdominal Ultrasound in Portsmouth and Warsash In Hampshire: What It Can and Can’t Detect

Private Abdominal Ultrasound in Portsmouth & Hampshire

As a sonographer with 17 years of experience performing abdominal ultrasound scans, this is one of the most common questions I’m asked by patients attending our Portsmouth clinic.

Many people come for an abdominal ultrasound because they have ongoing symptoms, abnormal blood results, or because they want reassurance. Others are looking for quicker access to a scan locally without long waiting times. Whatever the reason, it’s important to understand what an abdominal ultrasound can genuinely detect — and where its limitations lie.

What an Abdominal Ultrasound Looks At

An abdominal ultrasound uses sound waves to produce real-time images of the organs inside the abdomen. It does not use radiation and is safe, painless, and non-invasive.

During a standard abdominal ultrasound at MedHealth in Portsmouth and Hampshire, we assess the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, kidneys, spleen, and, where visibility allows, the pancreas. We also look for any abnormal fluid within the abdomen.

What Abdominal Ultrasound Is Particularly Good At

In everyday clinical practice, abdominal ultrasound is very effective at identifying common and treatable causes of abdominal symptoms.

Gallstones are one of the most frequent findings we see in patients attending our private abdominal ultrasound service in Portsmouth and Warsash in Hampshire. Ultrasound is the best test for gallstones and gallbladder-related problems, particularly in people with right upper abdominal pain, bloating, or symptoms linked to eating.

Ultrasound is also extremely useful for assessing the liver, especially when blood tests show abnormal liver function. Fatty liver disease, liver enlargement, and cysts are commonly identified. The kidneys can be assessed for stones, cysts, or obstruction, and the spleen can be checked for enlargement or focal abnormalities.

The Reality: Most Scans Are Normal

One of the most important things patients learn after attending an abdominal ultrasound is that most scans are normal.

This is particularly true for self-referring and private patients across Portsmouth, Warsash and the wider Hampshire area who attend because of persistent discomfort, bloating, or anxiety about symptoms. A normal scan is often very reassuring and clinically helpful, as it allows us to rule out significant structural problems and decide what should happen next.

What Patients Often Worry About

It’s very common for patients to attend their scan worried about cancer. While ultrasound can detect masses, cancer is not a frequent finding on routine abdominal ultrasound scans. Much more commonly, scans are either completely normal or show benign conditions such as gallstones or cysts.

Providing clear, honest reassurance is an important part of responsible ultrasound care.

Why Symptoms Can Exist Despite a Normal Scan

A normal abdominal ultrasound does not mean your symptoms are not real.

Ultrasound cannot assess everything. It is not designed to look inside the stomach or bowel and has limitations when it comes to gas-filled structures or functional conditions. This is why symptoms can persist even when a scan is normal, and why further tests may sometimes be needed.

Being open about these limitations helps avoid false reassurance and supports appropriate next steps.

When Experience Matters

Experience plays a significant role in ultrasound accuracy.

Recently, I detected endometriosis in two patients who had previously been told their scans were normal elsewhere. Careful technique, time, and clinical awareness matter. I also regularly scan patients from across Portsmouth, Warsash and Hampshire who attend after having rushed or inconclusive imaging, seeking clarity and reassurance.

When Abdominal Ultrasound Is the Right First Test

Abdominal ultrasound is often the best first investigation because it is accessible, affordable, and does not involve radiation. It provides valuable information quickly and can help avoid unnecessary further testing.

That said, it is not the right scan for every symptom, and part of good care is being honest when a different type of investigation would be more appropriate.

Final Thoughts

Abdominal ultrasound does not “check everything,” but when used appropriately and performed by an experienced sonographer, it is one of the most useful and reassuring diagnostic tools available.

If you are considering a private abdominal ultrasound in Portsmouth, Warsash in Hampshire, or would like to discuss whether this scan is right for you, you are always welcome to contact MedHealth to ask questions or seek advice before booking.