Ultrasound is a diagnostic imaging technique that is used by medical professionals for diagnosing various diseases and for evaluating conditions such as for monitoring pregnancy. In this blog we will learn about the ultrasound...
An ultrasound is a diagnostic procedure also known as USG or sonography.. It is a painless and non-invasive procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time pictures or video of the internal organs of your body such as its soft tissues, blood vessels, etc.
An ultrasound scanning technique is different from other imaging techniques such as CT scans and X-rays in the fact that it doesn't involve any ionising radiation for creating the scan images but uses sound waves.
The most common use of an ultrasound scan is that it is used for monitoring foetal growth and development during pregnancy.
What Are the Different Types of Ultrasound?
An ultrasound can be used for various reasons, based on the purpose of the scan being used, it is named differently such as
- Obstetric Ultrasound
- Ultrasound Abdomen
- Ultrasound Abdomen (Children)
- Hysterosonography
- Ultrasound Carotid
- Ultrasound Breast
- Ultrasound Musculoskeletal
- Ultrasound Pelvis
- Ultrasound General
- Ultrasound Scrotum
- Ultrasound Thyroid
- Ultrasound Prostate
- Ultrasound Venous (Extremities)
- Ultrasound-Guided Breast Biopsy
- Transvaginal Ultrasound
- Transabdominal Ultrasound
- Transrectal Ultrasound
- Ultrasound Abdominal Aorta
What Are the Uses of Ultrasound?
Ultrasound can be divided into three main categories
- Pregnancy Ultrasound
- Diagnostic Ultrasound
- Ultrasound for Guiding Procedures
Pregnancy Ultrasound
This type of ultrasound is also known as prenatal ultrasound, it can be used to visualise certain things
- To keep a check on foetal growth and position
- To confirm your pregnancy
- To evaluate the age of the baby/gestational age
- To check for number of foetus developing
- To check for foetus’ vitals such as its heart rate
- To diagnose any congenital birth defects in baby’s brain, spine, heart or other body parts
- To check for the amount of amniotic fluid present
Diagnostic Ultrasound
Diagnostic ultrasound can be used to diagnose certain unexplained symptoms such as pain, masses or abnormal blood tests. Some of the examples are
- Renal Ultrasound- It is also known as kidney ultrasound. It is used to assess the size, shape and location of your kidney and its related disorders such as stone, tumour, cysts etc.
- Doppler Ultrasound- It is a special ultrasound technique. It can assess moving materials such as blood in your body which in turn helps your doctor to evaluate vascular defects
- Abdominal Ultrasound- An abdominal USG can be used to assess and evaluate various diseases related to the abdomen such as abdominal pain.
- Breast Ultrasound- It is a specialised form of ultrasound known as mammogram. This type of ultrasound can be used to evaluate conditions such as breast cancer, lumps, cysts etc.
- Transvaginal Ultrasound- Your doctor might need a vaginal ultrasound to examine your reproductive tissues such as uterus or ovaries and sometimes a pelvic ultrasound can be used to check for your pelvis or hip bones
- Thyroid Ultrasound- Thyroid is a butterfly shaped endocrine gland which can be viewed by your doctor to evaluate nodules or lesions pertaining to the organ
- Pelvic Ultrasound- This scan can look for organs of the pelvic region including bladder, prostate, rectum, ovaries, uterus, and vagina etc.
- Transrectal Ultrasound- In this type of scan the ultrasound transducer is inserted into your rectum to evaluate tissues such as prostate etc.
Ultrasound for Guiding Procedures
It can be used to guide needle placement to sample fluid or tissues from
- Tendons
- Cysts or fluid collection
- Muscles
- Transplanted organs (liver, kidney, or pancreas)
- Masses of soft tissue
- Joints
- Organs such as liver, kidney or prostate
- Other examples of procedure are
- USG guidance for nerve blocks
- For localising lesion procedures
- For transferring embryos in in vitro fertilisation
- For confirming intrauterine device placement (IUD)
What Happens During An Ultrasound?
Before the scan, you will be asked to remove clothes from the part of the area being scanned. The general procedure is explained as under
- You will be asked to lie on the back of a comfortable table
- The USG technician will apply a small amount of Ultrasound gel over your skin area. This gel is a water-soluble gel. This gel does not harm you in any way.
- A small handpiece known as a transducer probe is then moved on the gel-applied area of your body.
- You might need to hold your breath briefly depending upon the need of the scan.
- The transducer is stopped and pressed a little against your skin in order to capture clear images.
- The whole procedure takes about 30 minutes to complete
- Once the procedure is complete, the gel is wiped off from your skin
- You can resume your daily activities as soon as the scan is complete.
What Are The Side-effects or Risks Associated With An Ultrasound Scan?
Ultrasound as a diagnostic tool is a safe option in terms of risks and safety hazards. An ultrasound diagnostic test uses sound waves to produce real-time scan images which do not pose any risk or side effect
The ultrasound scan has certain limitations in its diagnostic properties. On one hand it offers great diagnostic value, on the other hand, it has limitations as well. It cannot show any organ or part which is filled with air as it is ineffective at imaging body parts that have gas/air such as lungs.
Also it cannot show organs which are embedded under the bone such as the brain. To view these organs, your doctor might need further diagnostic techniques such as CT or MRI scans or X-rays.
Conclusion
Ultrasound scan is used for various purposes for diagnosing diseases of various parts of the body. It is relatively a safer option as well as it doesn't use any ionising radiation to produce scan images. The results prepared by the USG scan are then interpreted by your radiologist's doctor. The reports tell a lot about your ongoing condition as well. Choosing a renowned diagnostic centre for accurate diagnosis and 100% reliability is a wise option.
For Free Consultation From the Doctor
Get connected to our doctor directly
- Dr. Ravin Sharma MBBS, MD Radiology)
- Phone Number- 9212125996
- Available- 24*7*365
Why Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Center For You?
Ganesh Diagnostic Centre is an established and renowned diagnostic centre since 2001.
We have many PET CT scan imaging which can offer report Images online as well. We also offer FLAT 50% OFF on many x-rays.
Their excellence is backed by NABH and NABL Accreditations
NABH accreditation is proof of the highest standard of care and service provided to the patients. NABL accreditation reflects the competency of laboratories and equipment based on some national and international standards.
We are known for providing excellent service and care to its patients for decades having created Lakhs of satisfied patients over the years!
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre is a one-stop solution for getting all kinds of diagnostic X-rays done, as all services are available under one roof.
GDIC aims to provide the world’s advanced technology at the most reasonable and lowest price.
The rates of scans are reasonably priced. Patients can rely upon x-rays Image reports as reports are 100% accurate.
Note from Ganesh Diagnostic & Imaging Centre
Early checkups are always better than delayed ones. Safety, precaution and care are depicted in the several health checkups at our centre. We are the Nearby imaging centres at your service.
Here, at Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre, we present simple and comprehensive healthcare packages for any kind of diagnostic scan to ensure the early prescribed treatment to safeguard your health.
Find the Best Diagnostic Scanning centre Near you and get your Imaging done at the earliest.
So, visit us at the earliest to ensure good health and to maintain an active lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is an ultrasound scan used?
The ultrasound scan can be used to diagnosed for many reasons such as
- Diagnose for gallbladder stone
- To examine breast lumps
- To evaluate the blood flow
- To check for any thyroid problems
- It can help guide certain biopsy or tumour procedures
- To evaluate uterus and ovaries during pregnancy
What an ultrasound cannot detect?
Ultrasound can help detect many diseases pertaining to different body organs such as liver, kidney, uterus, etc. but the main limitation that an ultrasound possesses is that it cannot evaluate and show gas filled organs such as lungs or the organs that are behind bones such as the brain.
What should I avoid before an ultrasound scan?
You must not eat or drink anything 8 hours before the scan, although you can take your medications with water. If you are to have a pelvic ultrasound scan, you should drink 4-6 glasses of water before the scan.
What is the sonography and USG scan?
The ultrasound scan is also known as sonography and the acronym for ultrasound is USG. it is a painless, non invasive and quick imaging technique which can reveal a lot about the situation happening inside your body pertaining to any disease.
What is LMP in USG scan?
The term LMP is ‘reported last menstrual cycle’, it can give the estimation for the correct gestational age (GA) of your child while you are pregnant. Ultrasound scan in the first month of your gestation is a more precise way to calculate the age of the foetus.
What can an abdominal ultrasound detect?
An abdominal ultrasound scan can detect many conditions such as
- Any abscess
- Aortic aneurysm of the aorta
- Appendicitis
- Stones in gall
- Inflammation of pancreas also known as pancreatitis
Can I eat before the ultrasound test?
You should avoid eating anything a few hours before the exam and empty your bladder 90 minutes before the exam and drink at least 4-5 glasses of water before the test.
What can I wear for an ultrasound test?
You can wear anything loose and comfortable clothes, as you need to remove cloth from the part of your body being scanned.
