Ultrasound scan

An ultrasound scan, sometimes called a sonogram, is a procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of part of the inside of the body.

An ultrasound scan can be used to monitor an unborn baby, diagnose a condition, or guide a surgeon during certain procedures.

How ultrasound scans work

A small device called an ultrasound probe is used, which gives off high-frequency sound waves.

You can’t hear these sound waves, but when they bounce off different parts of the body, they create “echoes” that are picked up by the probe and turned into a moving image.

This image is displayed on a monitor while the scan is carried out.

Preparing for an ultrasound scan

Before having some types of ultrasound scan, you may be asked to follow certain instructions to help improve the quality of the images produced.

For example, you may be advised to:

drink water and not go to the toilet until after the scan

this may be needed before a scan of your unborn baby or your pelvic area

avoid eating or drinking for several hours before the scan

this may be needed before a scan of your digestive system, including the liver and gallbladder

Depending on the area of your body being examined, the hospital may ask you to remove some clothing and wear a hospital gown.

What happens during an ultrasound scan

Most ultrasound scans last between 15 and 45 minutes. They usually take place in a hospital radiology department and are performed either by a doctor, radiographer or a sonographer.

There are different kinds of ultrasound scans, depending on which part of the body is being scanned and why.

The 2 main types are:

  • External ultrasound scan – the probe is moved over the skin
  • Internal ultrasound scan – the probe is inserted into the body

What are the types of ultrasound scans?

Common types of ultrasound scan include:

  • abdominal ultrasound, which looks at s the internal organs of the abdomen, such as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen
  • obstetric/pregnancy ultrasound, routinely used to assess the growth and health of unborn babies during pregnancy
  • female pelvis ultrasound, used look at the female pelvis, uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries, with a transvaginal (in the vagina) or abdominal transducer
  • breast ultrasound, used to assess breast symptoms such as lumps, and also to screen for breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue
  • renal ultrasound, used to scan the urinary tract, including the kidneys and bladder
  • transrectal ultrasound, used to assess the prostate gland

Other types of ultrasounds include:

  • Doppler ultrasound, which monitors blood flow in the major arteries and veins
  • echocardiogram, which examines the heart
  • 3D ultrasound, which shows a 3 dimensional picture of the inside of the body
  • 4D ultrasound, which creates a 3 dimensional picture in motion (health diect)

Are there any risks with ultrasound?

Because it does not involve radiation, ultrasound is very safe and can be used routinely in pregnancy.

 We visit your home and do the procedure to make it easy and comftable for you.