Abdominal organs, kidneys, thyroid, hernias, and soft tissue lumps, all assessed by Sonoworld's consultant-led team of ultrasound practitioners at our Marylebone clinic. Same-day appointments are often available, with a written report within 24 hours. General medical scans are one part of the range at Sonoworld's ultrasound scan clinic in London at 29 Weymouth Street, Marylebone.
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General medical ultrasound covers a broad range of clinical concerns, from unexplained abdominal pain and suspected gallstones, to a thyroid nodule noticed on a routine check, a hernia that appears when you cough, or a lump under the skin that you want investigated quickly. These are the scans that answer the questions your GP would normally refer you for, but without the wait.
Sonoworld is a CQC-registered diagnostic imaging clinic at 29 Weymouth Street, Marylebone. Every scan is performed by Daniela Stan, Consultant Ultrasound Practitioner, with more than 20 years of clinical experience. High-resolution GE Voluson technology is used throughout, and you receive immediate verbal feedback during the appointment alongside a detailed written report within 24 hours.
General medical ultrasound scans at Sonoworld cover six distinct clinical areas. Each is described in full below, with preparation requirements, what is assessed, and direct booking links.
High-resolution imaging of the major solid organs, urinary tract, and abdominal aorta
Comprehensive assessment of the upper abdominal organs. Detects gallstones, fatty liver, cysts, organ enlargement, and aortic abnormalities.
Focused assessment of the urinary system. Identifies kidney stones, hydronephrosis, bladder obstruction, cysts, and post-void residual volume.
A complete assessment of the entire abdominal cavity and urinary system in a single appointment. Ideal for generalised abdominal pain or a full health check.
Targeted diagnostics for palpable lumps, swelling, and superficial concerns, no preparation required
Detailed assessment of the thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, and cervical lymph nodes. Detects nodules, goitre, cysts, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and lymphadenopathy.
Dynamic assessment of the abdominal wall, groin, and umbilicus. Confirms the presence of a hernia, identifies the defect site, and assesses for bowel herniation or tissue strangulation.
High-frequency assessment of any superficial lump found on the body. Determines whether a mass is solid or fluid-filled, and characterises features such as vascularity and margins.
Different scans have different preparation requirements. The table below summarises what you need to do before each appointment.
| Scan | Fasting | Full Bladder | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abdominal Scan | ✓ 6 hours | Not required | Water permitted |
| KUB (Kidney) Scan | Not required | ✓ 1L water, 1 hr before | Do not empty bladder before scan |
| Combined Abdomen & Urinary | ✓ 6 hours | ✓ 1L water, 1 hr before | Fast first, then drink water |
| Thyroid & Neck Scan | Not required | Not required | Wear loose neck clothing |
| Hernia Scan | Not required | Not required | Wear loose clothing to the groin/abdomen |
| Lumps & Bumps Scan | Not required | Not required | Ensure the area is accessible |
If you eat within 6 hours of an abdominal scan, the gallbladder contracts and gas fills the bowel; both significantly reduce image quality. The scan may need to be rescheduled. Plain water is always permitted.
NHS waiting times for non-urgent ultrasound referrals frequently exceed 6–12 weeks. A private scan gives you answers within days, or the same day you call.
Urgent concerns are seen quickly. Most appointments are available within 24–48 hours, often on the same day.
A detailed clinical report with annotated images is emailed to you within 24 hours of your appointment, ready to share with your GP.
Daniela Stan has over 20 years of NHS and private sonography experience. Every scan is performed and interpreted by her directly.
Book directly online or by phone. You do not need a GP letter or referral to access any general medical scan at Sonoworld.
Six scans make up the general medical group. Most are £235 and take about 20 minutes, but they differ in what they cover and, importantly, in how you prepare. Use this comparison to pick the one that matches your symptom and to get the preparation right first time.
| Scan | Price | Time | Best for | Preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper abdominal scan | £235 | 20 min | Liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys; pain under the ribs, bloating, abnormal liver tests | Fast 4 to 6 hours, water allowed |
| Kidney scan | £235 | 20 min | Kidney stones, cysts, hydronephrosis, abnormal kidney function | A litre of water in the hour before, do not empty the bladder |
| Abdomen and urinary tract | £350 | 40 min | Upper abdomen plus kidneys, ureters and bladder in one visit | Fast plus a full bladder |
| Thyroid and neck scan | £235 | 20 min | Thyroid nodules, neck lumps, salivary glands, lymph nodes, abnormal thyroid blood tests | None |
| Hernia scan | £235 | 20 min | A bulge in the groin or abdominal wall, pain on lifting or coughing | None |
| Lumps and bumps scan | £235 | 20 min | Any unexplained lump: lipoma, cyst, lymph node, soft-tissue swelling | None |
Pain under the right ribs, discomfort after fatty meals, bloating or abnormal liver blood tests point to the upper abdominal scan, which examines the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, spleen and kidneys and is the standard test for gallstones and fatty liver. Pain in the flank or back, blood in the urine, recurrent infections or abnormal kidney function point instead to the kidney scan, which also looks at the bladder and measures how completely it empties. When the picture is mixed, or a doctor has asked for both, the abdomen and urinary tract scan covers everything in one 40-minute appointment for £350, saving a second visit and a second preparation.
The thyroid and neck scan is the right test for a lump in the neck, a thyroid nodule found on examination or on blood tests, enlarged or tender lymph nodes, and for monitoring known thyroid conditions. It characterises nodules using the standard features a specialist uses to decide whether a biopsy is needed, so the report can go straight to an endocrinologist or ENT surgeon. If the lump is not in the neck, the lumps and bumps scan covers the rest of the body.
A hernia scan confirms and locates a hernia in the groin, around the navel or through a previous surgical scar, and it is performed with you standing and straining as well as lying down, because some hernias only appear under pressure. The lumps and bumps scan is for a soft-tissue lump anywhere else, such as a suspected lipoma, cyst or lymph node, and tells you whether it is solid or fluid, where it sits and whether it needs further attention. Neither scan needs preparation and both are straightforward to attend at short notice.
Preparation is the difference between a clear scan and a repeat visit. The upper abdomen needs a four to six hour fast so the gallbladder is full and the pancreas is not hidden by bowel gas; water, and black tea or coffee without milk, are fine. The kidneys and bladder need the opposite: drink about a litre of water in the hour before and arrive without having emptied your bladder. A combined scan needs both. Thyroid, hernia and lumps scans need nothing at all. Take your usual medication as normal for every scan, and bring any previous results.
None of these scans needs a GP referral. Many people book after a GP has suggested a scan but the hospital waiting time is long, and the report is written so it can go straight back to that GP; others book first and take the report to their GP if it shows something that needs treatment. Same-day and next-day appointments are usually available, so the time between deciding to look and knowing the answer is measured in hours rather than weeks.
Every general medical scan is performed by a consultant sonographer, who explains the findings before you leave. The written report with images follows within 24 hours and is written so that a GP or specialist can act on it, including a clear statement of what, if anything, should happen next.
Severe abdominal pain with vomiting or fever, or a hernia that has become hard, painful and will not push back, need urgent care rather than a booked scan. Use the Scan Advisor, call 020 3633 4902, or book the scan that matches your main symptom: the clinician will tell you on the day if a different examination would answer your question better.
Common questions about private general medical ultrasound scans at Sonoworld.
Fasting is required only for scans that include the upper abdomen, specifically the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. You should not eat for 6 hours before the scan, though plain water is permitted throughout. Kidney and bladder scans require a full bladder, not fasting. Thyroid, hernia, and soft tissue scans require no preparation at all.
No GP referral is required. You can book any general medical ultrasound scan directly online or by calling the clinic on 020 3633 4902. If you have previous scan reports or blood test results, bring them to the appointment as they help provide clinical context.
Ultrasound is an excellent first-line tool for identifying suspicious masses, abnormal lymph nodes, and structural changes in organs such as the liver, kidneys, and thyroid. A definitive cancer diagnosis requires biopsy or further imaging such as MRI or CT, which the written report will recommend if indicated. Sonoworld's reports are accepted by NHS consultants and private specialists.
Yes. The Combined Abdomen & Urinary Tract scan covers the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, bladder, and aorta in a single appointment. For other combinations, such as abdomen and thyroid, please call the clinic on 020 3633 4902 to arrange a double appointment slot.
Your written report is emailed to you within 24 hours of your appointment. It includes a clinical summary, annotated ultrasound images and, where relevant, recommendations for further investigation or GP follow-up.
A hernia ultrasound scan specifically looks for a defect in the muscle wall where tissue pushes through, and uses dynamic manoeuvres such as asking you to cough or bear down to provoke the hernia. A groin scan may additionally assess lymph nodes and vascular structures. If you have a visible or palpable bulge that appears when you cough or strain, a hernia scan is the correct choice.
Many private health insurance policies cover diagnostic ultrasound scans when a clinical indication is present. Contact your insurer before booking to confirm coverage and obtain an authorisation code. Sonoworld provides itemised receipts and clinical reports suitable for insurance claims.
Sonoworld is located in the heart of Marylebone, a short walk from Regent Street and Oxford Street.
Sonoworld
29 Weymouth Street
Marylebone, London
W1G 7DB
Phone: 020 3633 4902
Email: info@sonoworld.co.uk
Get Directions on Google MapsNearest stations: Regent's Park (Bakerloo) · Great Portland Street (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan) · Bond Street (Central, Jubilee)
