What is ultrasound scanning?
Ultrasound scanning or sonography, is a method of obtaining images of soft tissue inside the human body, eg. internal organs and muscles, by using high-frequency sound waves. No radiation is involved. Ultrasound is a useful way of examining many of the body's internal organs, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, thyroid, breast, testes and bladder. Obstetric ultrasound is commonly used during pregnancy.
Ultrasound imaging is performed by qualified ultrasound technicians or sonographers. The sonographer applies a conductive gel to the abdomen and presses a hand held probe (called a transducer) against the skin, images can be seen on the ultrasound machine.
The ultrasound machine used at The Xray Xpress Clinic is the Hitachi 8500.
Common types of ultrasound imaging
- Abdominal Ultrasound
- Obstetric Ultrasound
- Urinary Tract Ultrasound
- Breast
- Testes Ultrasound
- Thyroid Ultrasound
- Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
- Prostate Ultrasound
- Pelvic Ultrasound
- Vascular Ultrasound
- More info
Abdominal Ultrasound
Abdominal ultrasound is most commonly used to determine the cause of abdominal pain. Uses include the assessment of liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, pancreas, spleen and kidneys.
Please note: For this examination patients are to be nil by mouth for 6 hours before. Fluids can be consumed, however milk is to be avoided.
Obstetric Ultrasound
Obstetric ultrasound is the use of ultrasound scans in pregnancy. Ultrasound scans are a safe, non-invasive and accurate way to examine the foetus. High frequency sound waves produce a continuous picture of a moving foetus on a monitor screen. The foetus can be assessed and measurements can be made accurately on the images displayed on the screen. Such measurements are used in the assessment of gestational age, size and growth of the foetus.
For more information visit www.thefetus.net.
Urinary Tract Ultrasound
The kidneys are examined by ultrasound to determine their size, shape and position. Renal masses, cysts and stones can be identified. The bladder can also be assessed by ultrasound.
Please note: Patients for this examination are required to drink at least 1litre of water prior to the examination to enable the bladder to be full.
Breast Ultrasound
Ultrasound scans are used to evaluate the breast following mammography or to asses younger females under the age of 35 years. Ultrasound is excellent at imaging cysts which are round, fluid-filled pockets within the breast. Breast ultrasound is particularly useful for assessment of patients who have undergone breast augmentation (implants).
Testes Ultrasound
Testes ultrasound is used for the diagnosis of suspected abnormalities of the scrotum. Ultrasound of the scrotum is the primary imaging method used to evaluate disorders of the testicles and the surrounding tissues. It is used when a patient has acute pain in the scrotum or to confirm or exclude a testicular mass.
Thyroid Ultrasound
The thyroid gland is located in the neck and regulates metabolism. Ultrasound scans are a harmless method of examining this organ. Ultrasound can detect cysts and solid nodules in the thyroid gland and can determine whether solid masses will need biopsy.
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
This type of ultrasound is used for soft tissue lumps and injuries of
the musculoskeletal system.
Prostate Ultrasound
This ultrasound is carried out trans-rectally (trans-rectal ultrasound or TRUS) to evaluate the prostrate gland in men.
Pelvic Ultrasound
This is usually carried out internally (trans-vaginal ultrasound or TVS) and is done to accurately evaluate the ovaries and uterus.
Should the patient or doctor require a non-internal scan (trans-abdominal) then the patient is required to have a full bladder.
Vascular Ultrasound
This type of ultrasound can be used to assess the veins of the lower leg usually for DVT (deep vein thombrosis or clot). The caratoid arteries can also be assessed using ultrasound.
N.B. Assessment of varicose veins is not available at Xray Xpress.
More info
The History of Ultrasound - www.obgyn.net/ultrasound/
Types of ultrasound - www.radiologyinfo.org
Obstetric ultrasound site - www.ob-ultrasound.net
Real-time ultrasound footage of foetal development - www.unborn.com