Liver & Gallbladder Ultrasound, Cardiff & South Wales
Self-refer. Consultant-led. Immediate results explained at your appointment.
liver & gallbladder scan
What's included
- ✓Consultant Radiologist scan, with results explained immediately
- ✓Written report within 24-48 hours
- ✓Digital scan images
- ✓Onward referral if needed
- ✓No GP referral required
The liver & biliary system
A focused scan of your liver, gallbladder and bile ducts, which between them account for most upper-right tummy pain.
Liver
Size, texture, fatty change, lesions.
Gallbladder
Gallstones, sludge, wall thickening, polyps.
Common bile duct
Dilatation, and stones where visible.
Intrahepatic bile ducts
Dilatation and signs of obstruction.
Portal vein
Flow direction and thrombosis.
Hepatic veins
Patency and abnormal flow.
Right kidney (incidental)
A quick screen for stones and cysts. For a proper look at both kidneys, see our kidneys & bladder scan.
Free fluid
Signs of ascites.
Common reasons to book this scan
What we can identify
Ultrasound is the first-line imaging test for gallbladder disease and for many liver conditions.
Gallstones & cholecystitis
Ultrasound picks up over 95% of gallstones, along with the signs of gallbladder inflammation.
Fatty liver (steatosis)
The bright, echogenic liver pattern, which is common in metabolic syndrome.
Liver cysts & lesions
Simple cysts, haemangiomas and focal nodular hyperplasia.
Bile duct stones
Where the duct is dilated or the stones themselves are visible.
Gallbladder polyps
With surveillance follow-up arranged if one is found.
Liver enlargement
Hepatomegaly, with any change in texture.
If something complex is found, we can refer you on for CT, MRI or MRCP, or a hepatology opinion. If your symptoms are more general than the liver and gallbladder, our full abdomen scan adds the pancreas, spleen, both kidneys and the aorta for the same £260.
Preparation
How to prepare for your liver scan
Fasting fills the gallbladder. When you eat, the gallbladder contracts and becomes much harder to see. A 4-hour fast lets bile build up so we can examine the wall and the contents properly. Chewing gum and cigarettes make you swallow air, which obscures the view.
Diabetic or prone to hypos? Please check with your GP first, and bring a snack for afterwards.
Your appointment, step by step
Arrive
Free parking at Penarth. 5-minute walk from Penarth railway station.
Meet your consultant
Brief chat about your symptoms and history. Ask any questions.
The scan (20-30 mins)
You lie on your back with warm gel over the upper right side of your tummy. You will be asked to take a deep breath and hold it, which drops the liver and gallbladder below the ribs where we can see them clearly, and you may be rolled onto your left side.
Immediate results
Your consultant explains the findings as they scan and again at the end, so you leave knowing what's going on. Written report follows within 24-48 hours.
Had been waiting ages on the NHS to get a scan… so when I saw this service available on the high street I was surprised. Scan was organised for the same week, totally worth it. Actually got a diagnosis for once. Dr Junaid was very thorough and explained everything.
Transparent, all-inclusive
One price for a single-area scan. Add a second or third area in the same appointment for better value.
Liver & Gallbladder Ultrasound
- ✓Immediate results explained, plus written report in 24-48 hrs
- ✓Same-week appointment
- ✓No GP referral required
Bundle with another area
- ✓Two body areas in one appointment
- ✓Common combos: liver + kidneys, liver + pelvis
- ✓Save £160 versus two separate scans
Three areas in one visit
- ✓Liver and gallbladder plus two other areas in one appointment
- ✓e.g. liver, kidneys and pelvis
- ✓All three areas covered in a single visit
The 2 and 3-area prices cover any combination of areas. Book the matching option and tell the consultant which areas you would like scanned on the day.
All prices include consultation, scan, written report, digital images and any onward referral if required.
Our Penarth clinic
Patients travel to us from Cardiff, Newport, Bridgend, Barry, Caerphilly, Swansea and the Vale.
Common questions about liver & gallbladder ultrasound
How much does a private liver and gallbladder ultrasound cost?
£260 all-inclusive at Acorn Private Clinic. That covers the consultation, the scan, immediate verbal results and a written report within 24-48 hours. Adding a second area in the same appointment is £360, and three areas is £399.
Do I need a GP referral?
No, you can self-refer. Book online in 60 seconds.
How quickly can I be scanned?
Most appointments are available within 48-72 hours, and we can usually guarantee the same week.
What does the scan show?
Liver size and texture, fatty change, lesions, gallbladder stones and wall thickness, the bile ducts, portal vein flow, and a quick view of the right kidney.
Will gallstones definitely show up?
Ultrasound picks up over 95% of gallstones, which is why NICE recommends it as the first imaging test for suspected gallstone disease. A small number of stones, particularly ones that have moved into the lower bile duct, can be hidden by overlying bowel gas, and those may need an MRCP to confirm.
How long does the scan take?
About 20-30 minutes for the scan, plus 10-15 minutes for the consultation and discussion of findings.
Do I need to fast?
Yes. Fast for 4 hours beforehand: no food, no milky, fizzy or sugary drinks, no chewing gum and no cigarettes. Water in small sips is fine, and take your usual medications.
Is ultrasound safe?
Yes. It uses sound waves rather than radiation, so it can be repeated as often as needed.
My LFTs are abnormal, should I get a scan?
Yes. Ultrasound is usually the first imaging test after abnormal liver blood tests, and we assess for fatty liver, lesions and bile duct dilatation. If you haven't had bloods done yet, our blood test service can run a liver panel alongside the scan.
Can ultrasound show liver cancer?
Many liver tumours can be seen on ultrasound. If a suspicious lesion is found, we arrange CT or MRI to characterise it properly. Ultrasound is not a complete cancer screening test, but it is often the first scan to flag that something needs a closer look.
Where can I get a liver ultrasound near Cardiff?
Acorn Private Clinic at Penarth (CF64 2AD), 10 minutes from Cardiff city centre.
Is it covered by health insurance?
Most UK insurers (Bupa, AXA, Vitality, WPA, Aviva) cover diagnostic liver ultrasound where there is a clinical indication. Check with your insurer for an authorisation code and bring it to your appointment.
Get the answers you need.
Self-refer for a private liver and gallbladder ultrasound. Consultant-led, same-week, with immediate results explained at your appointment and a written report within 24-48 hours. £260 all-inclusive.