Same-day diagnostic imaging of your liver, gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas, spleen and abdominal aorta. No GP referral required.
A private abdominal ultrasound scan at IUS London is a same-day diagnostic examination of your liver, gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas, spleen and abdominal aorta. It costs £159, needs no GP referral, and you leave with a verbal result plus a written report by email within four hours.
Persistent upper abdominal pain, bloating, or abnormal liver blood tests are worrying enough on their own. Waiting six weeks for an NHS scan while you watch for warning symptoms makes it worse. Most patients book with us either because their GP has requested imaging and the NHS queue is too long, or because a symptom they tried to ignore has started affecting their work, sleep, or appetite.
We are a CQC-registered private ultrasound clinic at 5a Lucerne Mews in Kensington (W8 4ED), a three-minute walk from Notting Hill Gate station. Your scan is performed by sonographers who also work in major London NHS teaching hospitals, so you receive the same clinical standard on a timeline that suits you. All reporting follows British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) guidance, and GPs, NHS consultants, and private specialists readily accept our reports. Read our clinical standards →
An abdominal ultrasound is a painless, radiation-free imaging test. A sonographer presses a handheld transducer against your upper abdomen; the probe emits high-frequency sound waves, and the echoes reflecting off your organs produce real-time images on screen. The scan assesses the size, shape, and internal structure of the upper abdominal organs, plus blood flow through the major vessels using Doppler imaging where clinically needed.
"Private" means you pay directly or through insurance rather than waiting for an NHS referral. The scan itself is the same examination you would receive on the NHS, performed to the same clinical standards, at a time that suits you.
A full upper abdominal ultrasound assesses six organs or structures. Each has its own reason for being included, and the report addresses each one separately.
The sonographer measures the liver, examines the surface contour, and evaluates echogenicity. Focal lesions such as cysts, haemangiomas, or suspicious masses are documented with measurements.
Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver), cirrhotic change, simple cysts, haemangiomas. First-line test for suspected NAFLD per NICE NG49.
Limitations: cannot reliably stage early fibrosis. Small lesions under 1 cm may be missed.
The sonographer inspects the gallbladder wall, examines contents for stones or sludge, and measures the common bile duct.
Gallstones, gallbladder wall thickening (cholecystitis), polyps, dilated common bile duct. First-line per NICE CKS on gallstones.
Why the fast matters: eating empties the gallbladder and hides small stones.
Both kidneys are measured; cortical thickness, corticomedullary differentiation, and the collecting system are all examined, with cysts or masses documented.
Simple renal cysts, kidney stones over 5 mm, hydronephrosis, chronic kidney changes, occasional renal tumours.
Limitations: stones under 3 mm can be missed. A dedicated KUB scan covers the full urinary tract.
When bowel gas permits, the head, body and tail of the pancreas are assessed for ductal dilatation and focal lesions.
Chronic pancreatitis changes, pancreatic cysts, and larger pancreatic lesions.
Limitations: bowel gas obscures the pancreas in roughly 20–30% of adults. Follow-up CT or MRI is recommended if the view is incomplete and concern remains.
Spleen length is measured and the internal appearance is checked for cysts, masses, or diffuse abnormalities.
Splenomegaly (enlargement beyond 12 cm), splenic cysts, and less commonly splenic lesions.
Why it matters: an enlarged spleen can point to infection, haematological conditions, or portal hypertension.
As part of a standard abdominal scan, aortic diameter is measured at several levels and the vessel is checked for aneurysmal dilatation.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), defined as a diameter of 3 cm or more per NICE NG156.
This is an incidental check. For dedicated surveillance, see our AAA Scan.
An abdominal ultrasound covers the upper abdomen. It does not assess:
Unsure which scan you need? Use the Scan Advisor tool or call us on 0203 051 6506.
An abdominal ultrasound is often the first imaging test requested for upper abdominal symptoms. The table below shows what the scan typically detects and the next step if a finding appears on your report.
| Condition | What the scan shows | Next step if detected |
|---|---|---|
| Gallstones | Echogenic foci in the gallbladder with acoustic shadowing | GP review; surgical referral if symptomatic |
| Fatty liver (NAFLD) | Increased hepatic echogenicity — the "bright liver" appearance | GP review; lifestyle advice; FibroScan if concern |
| Liver cysts & haemangiomas | Well-defined anechoic (cyst) or hyperechoic (haemangioma) lesions | Usually benign; surveillance if atypical |
| Kidney stones | Echogenic foci in the collecting system with acoustic shadowing | GP review; urology referral if obstructing |
| Simple kidney cysts | Well-defined anechoic lesions | Usually benign; no follow-up if simple |
| Hydronephrosis | Dilated renal collecting system | Urology referral to identify cause |
| Splenomegaly | Spleen length over 12 cm | GP review to identify underlying cause |
| Abdominal aortic aneurysm | Aortic diameter of 3 cm or more | Vascular referral; dedicated AAA surveillance |
| Suspicious focal lesion | Focal mass requiring characterisation | Urgent GP review; CT or MRI for characterisation |
For a wider view of what ultrasound can detect across the body, read our guide: What can an ultrasound scan detect?
If your GP or a specialist has asked for an urgent scan, mention this when booking and we will prioritise your appointment.
Good preparation lets the sonographer see the gallbladder and kidneys clearly. Follow these five steps on the day of your scan.
Your appointment lasts 30 minutes. The scan itself takes 10 to 20 minutes. Here is what happens at each stage.
The scan is not painful. If any area is tender, you feel light pressure as the probe passes over — tell the sonographer and they can adjust angle or pressure.
You leave the clinic knowing what the scan showed. A full written report follows by email before the end of the day.
For more on interpreting your report, see our guide: How to read your ultrasound report.
Every scan at IUS London is performed by a senior sonographer who also works in a major London NHS teaching hospital. We are small by design: you meet the clinician performing your scan at the start of the appointment, and discuss the findings with the same person at the end.
A common booking question is which scan covers which organs. The short version:
| Scan | Covers | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Abdominal Ultrasound (this page) | Liver, gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas, spleen, aorta | Upper abdominal pain, abnormal liver tests, suspected gallstones |
| Pelvic Ultrasound | Uterus, ovaries (women); prostate, bladder (men) | Pelvic pain, irregular bleeding, pelvic masses, prostate concerns |
| Well Man Scan | Abdominal + testicular + thyroid | Annual check-up, broad screening |
| AAA Screening Scan | Dedicated aorta surveillance | Known AAA; men over 65 |
Still unsure? Try our Scan Advisor tool or call us on 0203 051 6506.
Twelve questions we hear most often at booking and on the day.
A senior sonographer or consultant radiologist registered with the HCPC or GMC, post-graduate qualified in medical ultrasound. The same professionals who work in London NHS hospitals.
Yes. The sonographer gives you a verbal summary immediately after the scan, and you receive a written report with images by email within four hours.
No. The probe makes firm contact with the skin, but there is no pain. If a particular area is tender, you may feel light pressure — tell the sonographer and they will adjust.
Thirty minutes in total. The scan itself takes 10 to 20 minutes; the rest is consultation, consent, and discussion of findings.
Yes. Clear water is encouraged; it helps kidney imaging and keeps you comfortable while fasting. Avoid milky drinks, fizzy drinks, tea, coffee, and juice for four hours before the scan.
No. This scan examines the upper abdominal organs. For the ovaries and uterus, see our Pelvic Ultrasound Scan. You can combine the two in a single visit.
No. Ultrasound is not a reliable imaging method for the bowel. If you have bowel symptoms such as a change in bowel habit, rectal bleeding, or unexplained weight loss, see your GP for the appropriate investigation.
It depends on your policy. Most UK insurers require a specialist referral for coverage. Because our service does not need a GP referral, the scan is often classified as a self-pay health screen, which many policies do not cover. Call your insurer with the scan details to confirm.
The report documents the finding and states the appropriate next step. You take the report to your GP, who can refer you to the right specialist on the NHS or privately. We do not arrange NHS referrals directly.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your appointment. For cancellations inside 24 hours, a 50 per cent charge of the appointment fee applies.
Ultrasound uses no ionising radiation and is considered safe at every stage of pregnancy. If you are pregnant and need a scan for non-pregnancy reasons, tell the sonographer at booking so they can plan the examination appropriately.
Yes. If fasting for four hours is not safe for you, take small sips of a sugary drink as needed and bring food to eat immediately after the scan. Let us know at booking so we can schedule your appointment earlier in the day.
£159, results before you leave, written report in four hours. Book online in under two minutes.