Abdominal Imaging

Diagnosis with Abdominal Imaging

Abdominal Imaging Program physicians specialize in conducting diagnostic imaging studies of the abdominal region, as well as performing minimally invasive, image-guided treatment procedures.

Patients are typically referred to the Diagnostic Institute’s Abdominal Imaging Program by physicians who are treating the patient for a specific condition or aiming to provide an initial diagnosis. The imaging tests offered by abdominal radiologists at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi include:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): This test, which uses magnetic waves to create images of specific organs, assists physicians in the diagnosis and follow-up of several illnesses. MRIs may be used for patients with conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or cirrhosis of the liver; to characterize liver masses or conditions of the pancreas; to detect prostate cancer; to examine renal tumors; to diagnose difficulties with urination (with images of the pelvic floor); or to diagnose disorders of the rectum, uterus, and ovaries.
• Computed tomography (CT): This study takes multiple images using x-ray beams. A CT scan can help physicians in the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, colon tumors, or renal tumors, as well as to determine the causes of abdominal pain or blood in the urine.
• Ultrasound: This imaging technique uses sound waves to visualize specific organs in the abdominal region. Physicians may request focused ultrasound examinations like renal ultrasound (used to diagnose the causes of kidney failure), liver ultrasound (used to look for liver disease or obstruction of the bile ducts), or gallbladder ultrasound (used to check for gallstones).

Treatment with Abdominal Imaging

In addition to imaging tests, the highly experienced radiologists in the Abdominal Imaging Program perform a wide spectrum of image-guided procedures, including:

• Paracentesis (drainage of fluid from the abdomen)
• Thoracentesis (drainage of fluid from the chest)
• Lumbar puncture (also known as a spinal tap, a test of the fluid around the brain and spinal cord)
• Arthrogram (joint injection for pain or to aid in diagnosis)
• Image-guided drain placement in the chest and abdomen
• Kidney biopsy
• Liver biopsy
• Lymph node biopsy
• Bone biopsy
• Lung biopsy
• Thyroid biopsy.