Abdominal Ultrasound at Home in the San Francisco Bay Area
ImagineEcho brings abdominal ultrasound to your home or facility in San Francisco, Marin, Santa Clara, Alameda, San Mateo and Contra Costa counties, including San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, Palo Alto, San Mateo, San Rafael and Walnut Creek. No driving, no parking, no waiting room.
What is an abdominal ultrasound?
An abdominal ultrasound uses sound waves to create live pictures of the organs in your belly. It is non-invasive, painless, uses no radiation, and is typically completed in under an hour. It is often the first test doctors suggest when something in the abdomen needs a closer look, and it can find problems before they cause symptoms.
What it looks at
| Organ | What the scan can show |
|---|---|
| Liver | Fat buildup (fatty liver), changes in texture, cysts or masses, size |
| Gallbladder and bile ducts | Gallstones, sludge, polyps, signs of inflammation, blocked or widened ducts |
| Kidneys | Kidney stones, cysts, swelling from a blockage, size and shape |
| Pancreas | Visible parts of the pancreas (gas can limit this view) |
| Spleen | Size and any abnormal areas |
| Aorta | The main artery in the belly, including widening (an aneurysm) |
| Bladder | Wall thickness, stones, and how well it empties |
A common finding: fatty liver
One of the most common things an abdominal ultrasound finds is fatty liver, also called hepatic steatosis. Estimates suggest about one in three adults in the U.S. has some degree of it, and most people have no symptoms. On ultrasound, a liver with extra fat looks brighter than normal.
Why it matters: fatty liver is linked to excess weight, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, and in some people it can progress to inflammation and scarring over time. The encouraging part is that it can often be improved with changes to diet, exercise, alcohol and weight, and with treatment of the related conditions. Knowing you have it early gives you time to act.
An ultrasound can show fat, but it cannot measure scarring (fibrosis) or rule out mild fat. If fatty liver is found, your doctor may suggest blood tests or other tests to see how much it is affecting your liver.
Other things it can find
- Gallstones and gallbladder problems. Ultrasound is the usual first test for gallstones, sludge and polyps. It can also show signs of gallbladder inflammation, such as a thickened wall, fluid around the gallbladder, or tenderness when the probe presses over it.
- Kidney stones and swelling. Ultrasound can show stones and any backup of urine in the kidney.
- Cysts and masses. Fluid-filled cysts are common and usually harmless. When something looks different, your doctor can decide what to do next.
- Aortic aneurysm. A widened aorta usually causes no symptoms. U.S. guidelines recommend a one-time screening ultrasound for men aged 65 to 75 who have ever smoked.
Who may benefit
- People with pain or discomfort in the upper right or upper middle belly
- People with bloating, nausea after fatty meals, or unexplained digestive symptoms
- People whose blood tests show high liver enzymes
- People with diabetes, prediabetes, obesity, high cholesterol or high triglycerides, who are at higher risk for fatty liver
- People with a history of kidney stones, or blood in the urine
- Men aged 65 to 75 who have ever smoked (aortic screening)
- Anyone who wants a baseline picture of their organs
How to prepare
Preparation depends on which exam you book:
- Liver, gallbladder, pancreas or a full abdominal scan: fast for 6 to 8 hours beforehand. Food and gas make the pictures harder to read, especially around the gallbladder and pancreas.
- Kidney and bladder only: you do not need to fast. You will need a full bladder, and we will tell you how much to drink and when.
- Veins: drink plenty of water beforehand. It helps the veins fill and makes them easier to see.
You will get exact instructions when you book.
An honest note
An ultrasound is a screening and first-look test, not a final answer. Gas and body shape can limit what can be seen, and the pancreas can be difficult to view. If something unclear shows up, your doctor may suggest a CT scan, MRI or other tests. A normal ultrasound is reassuring, but it does not rule out every problem.
Abdominal ultrasound at home with ImagineEcho
- We come to you. A sonographer visits your home or facility. No driving, no parking, no waiting room.
- Non-invasive and painless. The scan is typically completed in under an hour.
- Specialist review. Your images are reviewed by a physician specialist, and your results are delivered to you.
- Combine exams. Need more than one exam, such as an abdominal scan and a carotid ultrasound or an echocardiogram? They can be combined into a single visit. Just let us know when booking.
- We serve San Francisco, Marin, Santa Clara, Alameda, San Mateo and Contra Costa counties.
When to get care right away
Severe belly pain, pain with fever, repeated vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or black or bloody stools need prompt medical attention. Go to urgent care or the emergency room. Do not wait for a scan.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a doctor's referral?
You can book your exam directly online.
Will insurance cover it?
This is a self-pay exam. HSA and FSA funds are accepted.
Do I need to fast?
For liver, gallbladder, pancreas or full abdominal scans, yes, for 6 to 8 hours. For a kidney and bladder scan, no, but you will need a full bladder. We will send exact instructions when you book.
Will I get my results right away?
The sonographer cannot give a diagnosis during the scan. A physician reviews your images and your results are delivered to you afterward.
Ready to book your abdominal ultrasound in the Bay Area?
Looking for heart tests? See our guide to echocardiogram options in the San Francisco Bay Area.