I had an echo and i was wondering why the sonographer would have checked my neck and abdomen during the test as i have had previous echos and they have never checked before?

Vena cava: The vena cava is the very large vein that brings blood from the body to the heart. It passes by the liver and is closely associated with the jugular veins. Looking at the veins in the neck and liver can provide additional info about heart function.

Good Tech!: As part of a complete cardiovascular ultrasound screening you should check the carotid arteries (in the neck) for plaques and the abdominal aorta for aneurysm. As well, looking at the veins in the neck and behind the liver can give an idea of wether you have excess fluid in your circulation.

?practicing: Perhaps the technician was merely practicing her technique with ultrasounding these other areas.

Check with doctor: It depends what the doctor wrote on the request form and what the sonographer was looking for. Check with the doctor who organized the echo

Different views: That is not unusual. Obviously do not know why you had your echo but sub-xyphoid (stomach) views can help clarify the anatomy and neck vies can and get a better view of the aortic arch.