The adrenal glands are two small glands sitting on top of the kidneys. They make cortisol, aldosterone, adrenaline and some sex hormones. Blood pressure, salt and water balance and your stress response all depend on them. An ultrasound checks the adrenal area for masses, cysts or enlargement. At Oberig Clinic ultrasound doctors of the Diagnostic Department do this scan for adults and children.
When doctors order it
Most often an endocrinologist or cardiologist sends you. Typical reasons are high blood pressure that drugs barely lower or spikes of pressure with a racing heart and sweating, low potassium in blood tests, or signs of too much cortisol like weight gain on the belly and face. Stretch marks and weak muscles count too. So do odd hormone tests. Another reason is a mass found by chance on an abdominal ultrasound or CT.
What the scan shows
Ultrasound finds masses, cysts, bleeding and gland enlargement. An adenoma looks like a round nodule with clear edges. A cyst is a fluid-filled space, usually harmless. But there are limits. In adults, normal adrenals are often not visible at all, especially the left one, and that is not a problem. Ultrasound may miss lesions under 1 cm. So if a hormone-producing tumor is suspected, the doctor adds blood tests and CT or MRI.
How to prepare
The adrenals sit deep, and gas in the bowel blocks the view. Prep is the same as for an abdominal ultrasound:
- for 2-3 days skip foods that cause bloating: beans, cabbage, rye bread, fizzy drinks, raw vegetables and fruit
- take an anti-bloating remedy if your doctor advises it
- have a light dinner before 7 pm the day before
- come on an empty stomach, adults should not eat for 6-8 hours
- children fast for a shorter time depending on age, check with our contact center
How it goes and what is normal
You lie on your back, then on your side. The doctor scans the area above the kidneys through the belly and from the side, between the ribs. It takes 15-20 minutes. No pain, no radiation. It is often combined with a kidney scan. The price list has a retroperitoneal ultrasound that covers both kidneys and adrenals. See the retroperitoneal ultrasound page for details.
Normally there are no masses or fluid in the adrenal area. The glands, if visible, are thin and shaped like a triangle or crescent. In newborns the adrenals are relatively large and easy to see. They shrink with age. If the doctor finds a mass, the report gives its size, edges and structure. An endocrinologist decides what to do after blood tests. Small masses that make no hormones are often just watched, with a repeat scan in 6-12 months.
Frequently asked questions
The report says the adrenals are not visualized. Is that bad?
No. In adults it is a common normal finding. What matters is that there are no masses in the area.
Can ultrasound replace CT?
No. Ultrasound is a quick first step. To assess a mass properly, you need CT or MRI.
Do children get this scan?
Yes. In children, especially babies, the adrenals are easier to see than in adults. Doctors order it for suspected bleeding after birth, inborn gland disorders and early puberty.
Which blood tests go with it?
It depends on your symptoms: cortisol, aldosterone and renin, metanephrines. Your endocrinologist picks the set.
Price at Oberig Clinic
The price depends on the scope: the adrenals only, or the whole retroperitoneal area with the kidneys.
| Test | Price |
|---|
| Adrenal glands | UAH 1,085 |
| Adrenal glands, by Honored Doctor of Ukraine N. Riepina | UAH 1,205 |
| Retroperitoneal organs (kidneys, adrenals) | UAH 1,250 |
| Same, by N. Riepina | UAH 1,480 |
| Cortisol (blood) | UAH 620 |
Prices follow the clinic price list as of 18.10.2026. They may change, so please check the current price with our contact center.
Why choose Oberig Clinic
- 17 ultrasound machines, 7 of them expert class.
- Scans are done by doctors including Nataliia Riepina, Honored Doctor of Ukraine and EFSUMB member.
- Endocrinologists, our own lab for hormone tests, CT and MRI, all in one clinic.
Address: 3 Zoolohichna St., buildings G and V, Kyiv. Book online at https://my.oberig.ua/ua/appointment/ or call +38 044 521 30 03.
