Which scan do I need?
If you are not sure, start with the symptom router above, or simply call 0203 904 4441 and describe your symptoms; a clinician will recommend the right scan before you book, free. When in doubt, the abdominal ultrasound is the standard first-line survey: it covers the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas, spleen and aorta in one sitting.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can self-refer for any ultrasound scan in this category and book online today. For MRI and CT our doctors review every booking to confirm the scan is clinically appropriate. That review is included and usually takes minutes, not days.
Do I need to fast before an organ scan?
It depends on the scan. For an abdominal or liver scan, four hours without food (water is fine) keeps the gallbladder full and views clear. Kidney and bladder scans work best with a comfortably full bladder. Each service page lists its exact preparation, and if you cannot prepare, come anyway; we will tell you honestly if anything needs a repeat look.
Will I get my results the same day?
For ultrasound, yes: the scanning consultant explains the findings before you leave, and your written report follows on the portal the same day. MRI and CT are reported by a subspecialist radiologist, typically within 24–48 hours.
Are the prices really all-inclusive?
Yes. The price you see on each page includes the appointment, the scan, the consultant’s written report and aftercare advice. There are no hidden reporting fees, and prices are published before you book.
Ultrasound, MRI or CT: what’s the difference?
Three tools, three jobs:
- Ultrasound: real-time, radiation-free, ideal first look at solid organs, vessels and lumps; results the same visit.
- MRI: exceptional soft-tissue detail with no radiation; the next step when ultrasound raises a question, or for the bile ducts and bowel wall.
- CT: fast cross-sectional imaging; the test of choice for stones, complex anatomy and the chest.
Start with the simplest scan that answers your question. Our clinicians will tell you honestly which that is.
Are these scans safe?
Ultrasound uses no radiation at all. It is the same technology used in pregnancy. MRI is also radiation-free, though the strong magnet means a short safety checklist first. CT uses a low, carefully targeted dose of X-rays; we use it when it is genuinely the right test and will always say so plainly.
What happens if you find something?
You will not be left googling a report. The consultant explains any finding in plain English at the scan, your written report sets out exactly what was seen and what it means, and where follow-up is needed we provide a referral letter and can arrange the next scan, often the same week.
How much does an abdominal ultrasound cost in the UK?
Private abdominal ultrasound prices in the UK typically run from around £150 to £400, and quotes often exclude the radiologist’s report. At Harley Street Ultrasound an abdominal ultrasound is £290 and most scans in this category are £260–£290, always all-inclusive, covering the appointment, the consultant-performed scan, the written report and aftercare advice. Every price is published on its service page before you book.
What does an abdominal ultrasound show?
In one sitting, an abdominal ultrasound examines the major solid organs:
- Liver: texture, fatty change and focal lesions
- Gallbladder and bile ducts: gallstones and wall thickening
- Both kidneys: stones, cysts and obstruction
- Pancreas and spleen: size and visible abnormalities
- Abdominal aorta: checked for aneurysm
It is honest about its limits too: bowel and stomach hide behind gas, so if your symptoms point there your consultant will recommend the right test instead, usually a bowel ultrasound, CT or endoscopy.
How long does an ultrasound scan take?
Most scans in this category take around 20 minutes, with a few minutes either side to get comfortable and talk through the findings. Plan for about half an hour door to door, many patients book a morning or lunchtime slot and go straight back to their day with their results already explained.
Where can I get an ultrasound near me in London?
We are at 99 Harley Street in central London, W1, a short walk from Oxford Circus, Bond Street and Regent’s Park stations, and minutes from Marylebone, Fitzrovia and Mayfair. Same-day and next-day appointments are usually available: book online in a couple of minutes or call 0203 904 4441, with no GP referral needed.
Can an abdominal ultrasound detect cancer?
It can show many of the changes that cancer causes, such as a mass in the liver, kidney, pancreas or spleen, enlarged lymph nodes or free fluid, and it is often the first test that finds them. It cannot confirm a diagnosis on its own and it sees the stomach and bowel poorly, so if something is found your consultant arranges the right next step, usually CT, MRI or a biopsy, and explains why before you leave.
Does an abdominal ultrasound show the stomach, bowel and pancreas?
Only partly. Gas in the stomach and bowel blocks sound waves, so ultrasound shows the bowel wall in places but is not the right test for stomach ulcers, colon polyps or bowel cancer; our dedicated bowel ultrasound looks at inflammation, and CT or endoscopy are used for the rest. The pancreas is seen in most people, better after fasting. The liver, gallbladder, kidneys, spleen and aorta are seen well.
Can a liver ultrasound show fatty liver, cirrhosis or fibrosis?
Yes for fatty liver and the changes of established cirrhosis, which alter the liver’s texture, outline and size. Early scarring (fibrosis) does not show on a standard ultrasound, which is why we pair the liver scan with elastography (FibroScan) when stiffness needs measuring. Hepatitis itself is diagnosed with blood tests; the scan shows its effects on the liver.
Can a kidney ultrasound show stones, infection or kidney damage?
Stones, yes, including their size and whether they are blocking the flow of urine, although very small stones can hide. Infection and chronic kidney disease show indirectly, as swelling, scarring or a change in size and texture, and are interpreted alongside your blood and urine tests. The bladder is checked at the same time when it is reasonably full.
Do I need a full bladder, and do I have to undress?
A full bladder is only needed when the pelvis or bladder is part of the scan, such as the abdomen and pelvic ultrasound or a kidney and urinary tract scan; for a liver, gallbladder or general abdominal scan it is not. You lift or remove your top and lower your waistband a little; a gown and a private space are provided, and a chaperone is always offered.
Can an abdominal ultrasound detect pregnancy or show the ovaries?
An abdominal scan is aimed at the upper organs, so the womb and ovaries are usually only glimpsed. If you may be pregnant, or your symptoms could be gynaecological, book a pelvic ultrasound or the abdomen and pelvic scan instead, which examine the womb, ovaries and lining properly. Tell us when you book and we will point you to the right scan.
