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ULTRASOUND

 

Ultrasound is a sound wave that humans cannot hear. Ultrasonic imaging is an ultrasound-based diagnostic medical imaging technique used to visualize muscles, tendons, and many internal organs, to capture their size and structure. Ultrasound has been used to image the human body for more than 50 years and has become a widely used diagnostic tool. Ultrasound is also used to visualize fetuses during routine and emergency prenatal care. Ultrasounds are useful in the detection of pelvic abnormalities and can involve techniques known as abdominal ultrasound, vaginal ultrasound in women, and also rectal ultrasound in men. Properly performed ultrasound poses no known risks to the patient.

 

An ultrasound test or diagnostic ultrasound has many commonly used names depending upon the type of ultrasound or body part, for example, baby ultrasound, transvaginal ultrasound, thyroid ultrasound, scrotal ultrasound, pregnancy ultrasound, obstetrical ultrasound, pregnancy scan, pelvis ultrasound, pelvic ultrasound, nuchal translucency, NT scan, liver ultrasound, breast ultrasound, 8 week ultrasound, 9 week ultrasound, 10 week ultrasound, 12 week ultrasound, 13 week ultrasound, and 20 week ultrasound. Your doctor may order one or more of the following ultrasound examinations:

 

Abdominal Ultrasound

An abdomen ultrasound is used to examine organs in the abdomen such as kidneys, liver, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen. Your doctor may order this test to:

  • Find the cause of kidney infections or pain in the abdomen or distension

  • Diagnose/treat a hernia, tumors, cancers, or ascites

  • Look for the cause of a fever, damage related to an injury, swelling of an organ in the abdomen area, gallbladder or kidney stones, cause of reasons behind abnormal blood tests such as kidney or liver function tests

 

Gynaecological/Obstetrical or Pregnancy Ultrasound

This ultrasound is performed to evaluate the development of a baby in the womb. A pregnancy ultrasound is done:

 

In the first trimester of pregnancy to:

  • Know the age and heart rate of the baby

  • Check for twins, triplets etc.

  • Determine if there are any issues with ovaries, cervix, placenta or uterus

  • Check if there are any chances of a miscarriage

 

In the second and third trimester to:

  • Know the baby's age, growth and position

  • Know if there are any developmental problems

  • Check for twins, triplets etc.

 

Nuchal Translucency or Early Anatomy Ultrasound

This ultrasound examination is performed 11 - 14 weeks of pregnancy for indications of:

  • Down syndrome

  • Trisomy 13

  • Trisomy 18

  • Heart defects

  • Rare genetic syndromes

  • Other abnormalities

in the baby.

 

The number of ultrasounds done depends upon a number of factors such as previous scans, blood test results, any problems identified, etc.

 

Pelvic Ultrasound

An ultrasound of the pelvis is mostly performed

in women, to:

  • Monitor the health and development of a baby (fetus or embryo)

  • Diagnose pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding and other menstrual problems

  • Evaluate the bladder, uterus, ovaries, cervix and/or fallopian tubes

  • Look for bladder tumours, kidney stones or disorders of the urinary bladder

 

in men, to:

  • Evaluate prostate, bladder or seminal vesicles

  • Look for kidney stones, bladder tumours or disorders of the urinary bladder

 

in children, to:

  • evaluate pelvic pain or masses and anomalies of the organs

 

Transvaginal Ultrasound

Your doctor may order a transvaginal ultrasound to view the endometrium, the lining of the uterus and the ovaries, and/or evaluate the muscular walls of the uterus.

 

Transrectal Ultrasound (Scrotum/Prostate Ultrasound)

A medical practitioner may order transrectal ultrasound to:

  • Determine the enlargement of the prostate and its cause

  • Look for abnormal growth of or within the prostate

  • Look for disorders within the prostate

  • Determine the cause of pain

  • Determine the cause of a man's infertility

 

Thyroid Ultrasound

A thyroid (a gland in the neck) ultrasound is generally done when there is a growth (lump) in the thyroid gland to determine the functioning of the gland. The test can help distinguish between cyst (a sac containing fluid) and abnormal issue.

 

Breast Ultrasound

Your doctor may order a breast ultrasound to:

  • Investigate further if a breast lump is noticed during a breast examination

  • A mammogram or an MRI show an abnormality

  • Examine the internal structure of the breast

  • To distinguish between a cyst and a solid mass

  • Look for growth if bloody or clear fluid is coming from nipple

 

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

Musculoskeletal ultrasound is used for taking pictures of the musculoskeletal system namely hip, hamstring, knee, tendon, ankle, foot, shoulder, elbow, wrist, soft tissue, joints, muscles, etc. to diagnose:

  • Muscle tears, masses or fluid accumulations

  • Sprains or tears of ligament

  • Foreign bodies

  • Inflammation

  • Nerve entrapment, for example, carpal tunnel

  • Soft tissue masses and tumours

  • Muscle abnormalities

  • Dislocation of the hip

  • Hernias​​

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