BMC Medical Imaging (Jul 2003)

Is fasting a necessary preparation for abdominal ultrasound?

  • Leven Hans,
  • Sinan Tariq,
  • Sheikh Mehraj

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2342-3-1
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3, no. 1
p. 1

Abstract

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Abstract Objective To study the effect of fasting on the technical success of abdominal ultrasound examination. Methods In a randomized, prospective study, 150 patients for abdominal ultrasound were divided into two groups of 75 patients each with instructions to fast for six hours or have normal breakfast respectively. Result The technical success of the abdominal ultrasound performed by radiologists blinded to the instruction did not differ significantly between the groups. Conclusion It appears that routine fasting before abdominal ultrasound is not necessary.

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