What does a US RUQ typically evaluate?

The US RUQ, or ultrasound of the right upper quadrant, is primarily utilized to assess the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, and duodenum. One of the most common applications of this imaging technique is to evaluate conditions related to the gallbladder, such as cholelithiasis (the formation of gallstones) and cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder). These conditions commonly present with right upper quadrant pain, making the RUQ ultrasound a critical diagnostic tool.

The test can help visualize gallstones, assess the thickness of the gallbladder wall, and evaluate for any signs of inflammation or infection. In cases of acute abdominal pain, this imaging is particularly valuable for differentiating between gallbladder-related issues and other possible causes.

While appendicitis is evaluated with imaging techniques, the US RUQ is not specifically aimed at this condition, as the appendix is located in the right lower quadrant. Similarly, pelvic inflammatory disease primarily involves the reproductive organs, which lie outside the scope of the RUQ examination. Pneumonia often requires a chest imaging approach rather than evaluation through a RUQ ultrasound.

Thus, the primary focus of the US RUQ is on those gallbladder-related conditions