Ultrasound
Overview
An ultrasound (sonography) is an imaging study that utilises high-powered sound waves to create images of organs, bodily tissues and other nearby structures. Through ultrasound imaging, doctors can view the interior of the body in expansive detail and precisely examine the internal organs.
Ultrasound procedures are versatile and can be ordered for a variety of reasons, providing patients with a comprehensive understanding of their potential uses.
- Monitor the unborn baby's health: An ultrasound helps check the baby's development. It screens for congenital defects and checks for issues related to the pregnancy.
- Diagnose the cause of medical conditions: An ultrasound is the best way to check for medical-related issues linked to the blood vessels, organs, glands and soft tissues.
- Used to help navigate biopsy procedures: For most biopsies, a needle is used to extract a sample of bodily fluid or tissue for detailed analysis.
There are many types of ultrasounds, one of which is a Doppler ultrasound, which depicts movement in the body. A Doppler ultrasound indicates the flow of blood and the speed at which it travels through the blood vessels, as well as the rate at which the heart beats. It also depicts the beating of the heart muscle and the motion of the foetus.
For example, a pregnancy ultrasound is conducted to determine the following:
- The unborn baby’s heart rate, age, size and position in the womb.
- To check if there are multiple pregnancies.
- Screen for genetic disorders
- Detect congenital abnormalities
- Measure the amount of amniotic fluid
- Determine the location of the placenta
- Help navigate the collection of fluid samples during the process of chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis.
Another ultrasound, which is known as a diagnostic ultrasound, helps determine the cause of the following:
- Check for swelling, pain and other associated symptoms
- Check for structural issues, blockages and abnormal growths
- Differentiate between hard, solid tumours and cysts
How do you perform an ultrasound?
Ultrasound procedures are typically non-invasive, providing a comfortable and reassuring experience for patients, depending on the area that needs to be examined.
For an ultrasound, the following steps are carried out:
- A special gel is applied over the body, and a handheld device (transducer) is guided over the skin.
- The soundwaves bounce off the hard structures inside your body. The ultrasound detects these high-frequency echoes and converts them into visuals on an external monitor or computer screen.
For certain ultrasounds, the exam may be conducted invasively, like a secret agent infiltrating the body's inner sanctum. The probe is inserted into areas like the vagina, rectum, or oesophagus, depending on the specific area that needs to be assessed.