Ultrasound evaluation of the abdomen is a commonly performed examination worldwide. This modality offers the advantages of relative low cost, portability, real-time capabilities, and the lack of radiation and intravenous iodinated contrast material. Sonography is the first-line diagnostic imaging technology for the evaluation of suspected hepatobiliary disease processes.

However, sonography has not established preeminence as a primary technique for the evaluation of the patient with nonspecific abdominal pain because of the limitations caused by artifacts produced by gas in the stomach and upper intestine.

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