Addressing Anxiety: Concerns About Abdominal Ultrasound and Recording

Hello doctor, I have two questions?

Hello, doctor.
My boyfriend is experiencing severe anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
He is currently undergoing treatment in a psychosomatic clinic.
Recently, he has had two concerns related to his liver, gallbladder, and gastrointestinal health, so I kindly ask for your assistance in addressing these issues to help guide him.
He tends to document everything he considers important in his life and has a strong fear of death, which makes him very anxious during medical appointments.
The first issue is that before his appointments, he secretly activates the voice recording feature on his smartphone and keeps it in his pocket to record his conversations with the doctor.
His intention is to ensure that he doesn't miss any details and can remember the doctor's responses.
Previously, when he visited a gastroenterologist for an abdominal ultrasound, the results were normal, which made him happy.
However, he soon became fixated on whether recording the conversation might have affected the ultrasound results.
He is concerned that the recording could interfere with the ultrasound examination and lead to inaccurate results.
Could you please clarify whether using the recording function on his smartphone would affect the abdominal ultrasound? We have also noticed signs on the examination room door advising against using phones to avoid interfering with equipment, but it seems that no one adheres to this, and the doctors do not emphasize it.
The second issue is that my boyfriend experienced discomfort and pain in his upper right abdomen and visited a gastroenterology clinic.
During that visit, he did not use the recording function on his smartphone.
When the doctor asked if he was fasting and had not eaten or drunk anything, he confirmed that he had not eaten for at least six hours and believed he had not drunk any water.
However, he later mentioned to the doctor that he could not guarantee he had not had any water.
While the doctor was busy performing the ultrasound, he was unsure if the doctor heard him clearly.
The doctor explained the ultrasound findings, mentioning that he had fatty liver, but that the gallbladder and pancreas appeared normal.
Now, we would like to know if drinking water before the abdominal ultrasound could affect the results regarding his liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.
Thank you, doctor.

P.S.
My boyfriend is 35 years old.

Xiao Mao, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2016/12/15

Dr. Chen Qifeng reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Recording on a mobile phone will not affect the ultrasound results.
Fasting for more than 6 hours, with only a small amount of water consumed, will not impact the interpretation of the ultrasound.

Reply Date: 2016/12/15

More Info

Dear Patient,
Thank you for reaching out with your concerns regarding your boyfriend's health and the impact of his anxiety on his medical appointments. It's commendable that you are seeking to support him during this time. I will address both of his questions regarding the abdominal ultrasound and the recording of medical consultations.

1. Impact of Recording on Abdominal Ultrasound:
First and foremost, I want to reassure you that recording conversations during a medical appointment, such as using a smartphone, does not interfere with the abdominal ultrasound itself. Ultrasound technology relies on sound waves, and the recording device does not emit any signals that would affect the ultrasound equipment or the results. Therefore, your boyfriend can feel at ease knowing that his recording will not compromise the accuracy of the ultrasound findings.

However, it is important to note that recording conversations without the consent of the physician may raise ethical and legal concerns. It is always best practice to inform the healthcare provider of the intention to record the conversation and obtain their permission. This transparency can help build trust and ensure that both parties are comfortable during the consultation.

2. Concerns About Eating and Drinking Before the Ultrasound:
Regarding your boyfriend's second question about whether drinking water before the abdominal ultrasound could affect the results, the answer is somewhat nuanced. Generally, for abdominal ultrasounds, patients are often advised to fast for several hours prior to the procedure. This fasting helps to reduce the presence of gas in the intestines, which can obstruct the view of the organs being examined, such as the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

Drinking a small amount of water is usually acceptable, but excessive fluid intake may lead to a full bladder, which could potentially obscure the view of the abdominal organs. In your boyfriend's case, if he had a small amount of water, it is unlikely to have significantly impacted the ultrasound results. The key factors that affect the quality of the ultrasound images are the presence of gas and the patient's overall body habitus.

If the ultrasound technician or physician was able to visualize the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas adequately, then the results should still be reliable. It is also worth noting that the interpretation of the ultrasound findings, such as the presence of fatty liver, is based on the images obtained during the procedure, and the physician would have taken into account any limitations that may have arisen from the patient's pre-procedure intake.

Conclusion:
In summary, your boyfriend's recording of his medical consultations will not affect the ultrasound results, and while fasting is generally recommended, a small amount of water is unlikely to have a significant impact on the examination. It is essential for him to communicate openly with his healthcare providers about any concerns he has, including his anxiety and any uncertainties regarding the procedure.

Encourage him to express his worries to his doctor, as they can provide reassurance and additional guidance tailored to his specific situation. Managing anxiety is crucial for overall health, and being proactive about his concerns can help him feel more in control during his medical appointments.

If you have any further questions or need additional clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out. Wishing you both the best in navigating this journey together.

Sincerely,
Doctor Q&A Teams
[Your Medical Title]

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