i. What is ultrascound scan?
An ultrasound scan is also known as a sonography. It uses high-frequency sound waves to capture live images of the internal organs of the body. It is a non-invasive imaging test that involves the use of a small transducer (the detection tip) and the ultrasound gel applied directly on the skin. The high-frequency sound waves are transmitted from the tip through the gel into the body. When the sound waves bounce off different parts of the body, they create echoes that are collected by the tip and a computer then uses those sound waves to create an image. It can help doctors to diagnose diseases of different organs such as uterine fibroids, endometrioma (chocolate cyst), ovarian cancer, fatty liver, renal failure, heart disease, etc., and examine the foetus in the uterus of pregnant women for the sex, heart, foetal structure and internal organ of the baby. The ultrasound scan is safe, painless and non-invasive. Unlike X-ray and CT scan, ultrasound scan does not utilise ionising radiation. As it captures live images of the body in real-time, it can show the structure and movement of the internal organs, the blood flowing through the vessels, and the foetal movement in the uterus.
Conventional ultrasound displays the images in 2D. Advancements in ultrasound technology include 3D ultrasound that formats the sound wave data into 3D images. Doppler ultrasound is a special technique that allows the radiologist to see and evaluate blood flow through arteries and veins in the abdomen, arms, legs, neck and/or brain (in infants and children) or within various body organs such as the liver or kidneys.
ii. Ultrasound Scan Procedures
Ultrasound examinations are painless and easily tolerated by most patients.
For most ultrasound exams, you will be positioned lying face-up on an examination bed. The doctor will apply a thin layer of gel to the skin. A detector is then placed on your body to send sound waves to your body to produce images. You may be asked to turn to either side to improve the quality of the images. The examination is usually done within 10 minutes.
There is usually no discomfort during the ultrasound scan except for a slight pressure when the tip is pressed against the examined area. Mild discomfort may occur when conducting scans including the insertion of the tip into the body such as transvaginal ultrasound in women and transrectal ultrasound in men.
If a Doppler ultrasound is conducted, you may hear the sound of a pulse that changes as the blood flow is monitored and measured.
You can return to your normal routine after the ultrasound scan.
iii. How do I prepare for an ultrasound scan?
- Bone Fractures
- Arthritis
- Heart Conditions
- Lung Disease
- Location of Foreign Objects