Private Liver Ultrasound Scan with Same-Day Results
A focused ultrasound assessment of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree and relevant upper-abdominal structures. The scan can assess for fatty change, focal liver lesions, gallstones, bile-duct dilatation and ultrasound features that may suggest advanced chronic liver disease.
Private liver ultrasound in Kent & London
Choose the clinic most convenient for you. The same focused liver ultrasound assessment is available at all three locations with same-day reporting.
Tunbridge Wells
Focused liver, gallbladder and biliary ultrasound with same-day written reporting.
36 Monson Road
Tunbridge Wells, Kent
TN1 1LU
Orpington
Convenient private liver ultrasound with same-day reporting from our Orpington clinic.
Orpington Health & Wellbeing Centre
Room 30, 19 Homefield Rise
Orpington, BR6 0FE
Canary Wharf
Private liver ultrasound in Canary Wharf with focused liver and biliary assessment and same-day written reporting.
30 S Colonnade
Canary Wharf Estate
London, E14 5HX
A detailed ultrasound assessment of the liver and biliary system
Liver ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to assess the liver without ionising radiation. It can provide information about liver size, contour and echotexture, and may identify fatty change, cysts, some focal lesions and ultrasound features associated with advanced chronic liver disease.
The examination also assesses the gallbladder and visible bile ducts, helping identify gallstones, sludge, gallbladder inflammation features and biliary dilatation. Relevant portal and hepatic vessels may also be assessed where clinically appropriate.
A standard liver ultrasound does not accurately stage liver fibrosis. Where fibrosis risk needs quantification, additional assessment such as FibroScan® / elastography, blood-based fibrosis scores or specialist review may be appropriate.
What can a liver ultrasound examine?
Your scan is tailored to your symptoms and clinical history, with systematic assessment of the liver, gallbladder, visible biliary tree and relevant vascular structures.
Liver size & contour
Assessment of overall liver size, shape and surface contour, including visible features that may be associated with chronic liver disease.
Fatty liver change
Assessment of liver echogenicity and ultrasound features that may be consistent with hepatic steatosis.
Focal liver lesions
Assessment for visible cysts, haemangioma-type appearances and other focal liver abnormalities. Indeterminate lesions may require CT, MRI or specialist review.
Gallbladder
Assessment for gallstones, sludge, wall thickening and other visible gallbladder abnormalities.
Bile ducts
Review of the visible biliary tree for duct dilatation and other findings that may suggest obstruction.
Portal & hepatic vessels
Relevant liver vessels may be assessed for patency and Doppler flow characteristics where clinically appropriate.
Key structures assessed during a liver ultrasound
Simplified anatomy illustration for patient education.
Symptoms and reasons for a private liver ultrasound
Liver ultrasound may be helpful when symptoms, blood tests or clinical risk factors suggest that structural liver or biliary assessment is appropriate.
Abnormal liver blood tests
Ultrasound may form part of the investigation of persistently abnormal liver function tests.
Right upper abdominal discomfort
Assessment of the liver, gallbladder and visible biliary system where symptoms are clinically suitable for ultrasound.
Fatty liver risk
Assessment where metabolic risk factors or previous investigations raise concern about hepatic steatosis.
Alcohol-related risk
Ultrasound may help assess liver morphology when there is a relevant alcohol history or abnormal blood tests.
Known hepatitis or chronic liver disease
Structural assessment or follow-up may be appropriate as part of a broader clinical pathway.
Suspected gallstones or biliary disease
Gallbladder and bile-duct assessment can help identify stones, sludge and biliary dilatation.
Follow-up of known liver findings
Interval ultrasound may be used when follow-up imaging has been clinically recommended.
Family or personal liver history
Some patients seek structural assessment because of previous liver disease or a relevant family history.
Proactive liver health assessment
Ultrasound can form one component of a broader liver health evaluation alongside bloods or elastography.
Liver ultrasound is valuable — but it does not answer every liver-health question
Your report should guide the next step rather than provide false reassurance when blood tests, symptoms or risk factors require broader assessment.
Routine ultrasound does not accurately stage fibrosis
Ultrasound may show morphological features of advanced chronic liver disease, but fibrosis assessment usually requires validated blood-based scores, FibroScan® / elastography or specialist evaluation.
A normal ultrasound does not rule out all liver disease
Some liver conditions can be present despite a structurally unremarkable ultrasound. Blood tests and clinical assessment remain important where symptoms or risk factors persist.
Indeterminate findings may need further imaging
Focal liver lesions, biliary abnormalities or concerning structural findings may require contrast imaging, CT, MRI, specialist ultrasound or hepatology review.
What happens during your liver ultrasound?
Your scan is tailored to your symptoms and history, with clear explanation throughout the examination.
Clinical history
Your symptoms, previous liver findings, blood tests, relevant medication and risk factors are reviewed before scanning.
Upper-abdominal scan
Ultrasound gel is applied and the probe is moved across the right upper abdomen to assess the liver and biliary system.
Breath-hold & Doppler views
You may be asked to hold your breath briefly, and Doppler may be used where blood-flow information is clinically useful.
Results & report
The main findings are explained and a formal written report documents the examination and any recommended follow-up.
Preparing for your liver ultrasound
Fast for 6–8 hours
A period of fasting helps reduce bowel gas and keeps the gallbladder distended, improving the ultrasound window.
Water is allowed
You may drink water. Avoid food and sugary drinks during the fasting period unless you have been advised otherwise for medical reasons.
Take essential medication normally
Continue necessary medicines with small sips of water unless your clinician has given you different instructions.
Need a deeper assessment of liver fat or fibrosis?
Routine ultrasound evaluates liver structure. Where fibrosis or steatosis requires more specific quantification, an advanced liver pathway may provide more useful information.
Liver FibroScan®
Non-invasive liver stiffness and steatosis assessment to support fibrosis risk stratification.
Liver Health Scan
Extended liver imaging pathway with additional measurements and assessment tailored to liver-health risk.
Liver Health Check
Premium liver-health pathways combining advanced blood testing, FibroScan® and clinical review options.
What Our Patients Say
Independent patient feedback from people who have chosen UKSONO Healthcare for private diagnostic ultrasound.
Guidance supporting liver assessment and fibrosis pathways
Selected UK guidance and patient information explaining how ultrasound, liver blood tests and elastography fit within the wider assessment of liver disease.
Read BSG guidance →
Read NICE guidance →
Read NHS guidance →
Liver ultrasound FAQs
Answers to common questions about liver ultrasound, fatty liver, gallstones, preparation, fibrosis and same-day results.
Do I need a GP referral?
How much does a liver ultrasound cost?
What does a liver ultrasound assess?
Can ultrasound detect fatty liver?
Can a standard liver ultrasound measure fibrosis?
Can the scan detect gallstones?
Do I need to fast?
How long does the scan take?
Will I receive my results on the same day?
What happens if the scan is abnormal?
Can a normal ultrasound rule out all liver disease?
Is liver ultrasound safe?
Book your private liver ultrasound
Focused liver and biliary assessment with same-day reporting across Tunbridge Wells, Orpington and Canary Wharf.
