How long ultrasound

Depending upon the nature of your exam, you may be able to see the images during your exam, on a screen connected to the ultrasound device. One of the safest, most time-tested diagnostic imaging techniques, ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images. These waves are produced by sending electrical energy through certain types of crystals, which vibrate within a probe called a transducer.

Once the reflected waves arrive back at the transducer, a connected computer converts them into an image called a sonogram. These images offer invaluable information for diagnosing and treating a variety of conditions, and they can be obtained quickly, conveniently, and at low cost.

Yes, but fetal imaging is just one of many applications. Ultrasound can be used to image almost any soft tissue in the body, and it is particularly useful for organs in the abdomen and pelvic region.

Many physicians also use ultrasound to observe blood flow in veins and arteries, which allows them to quickly diagnose life-threatening blood clots. Ultrasound is excellent for distinguishing between fluid and solid structures within the body — an important but surprisingly difficult task for radiologists.

Depending upon your condition, ultrasound may be used as a standalone imaging technique, or it may be used to complement the findings of an MRI exam or CT scan. No, ultrasound does not involve any type of radiation. It uses only high-frequency sound waves, which are not known to have any adverse effects.

Ultrasound preparation varies significantly by exam type and body part. For more information about preparing for your exam, contact your American Health Imaging center for complete instructions.

Ultrasound depends upon the transmission of sound waves, and sound travels better through some substances than others. Not all ultrasound exams require a full bladder, however. For complete instructions, consult your doctor, or call your American Health Imaging facility.

Digestion changes the shape and contents of abdominal organs, and eating or drinking too close to your exam may distort your images. Ultrasound is a safe examination that provides excellent imaging without any significant risk to the patient. Ultrasound provides excellent imaging of the soft tissues of the body, and is a safe procedure that does not have the risks associated with imaging that uses radiation. There are no proven harmful effects of sound waves at the levels used in ultrasound when carried out in a proper clinical setting, such as a private radiology practice or hospital.

Ultrasound can be used with patient movement, so is ideal for imaging babies and children. Dynamic imaging moving pictures provided by images using ultrasound sound waves gives the opportunity to look at the inside of the body in positions or with movements where there is pain or movement restriction. Rarely, a specific ultrasound contrast medium is injected into a vein of the arm to detect certain types of diseases or problems.

If the radiologist feels that this will be useful, then this will be explained to you at the time of the examination. Ultrasound is mostly non-invasive, provides accurate imaging tests of the body, is readily available and is relatively inexpensive. The ultrasound can be carried out by various health professionals. In most situations, this is a sonographer. A sonographer is a health professional who is specialised and fully qualified in ultrasound examinations.

The sonographer will provide a preliminary interpretation of the images on the screen to a radiologist specialist doctor , who will review the results. Sometimes, it may be necessary for the radiologist to attend the examination to see the images on the screen rather than just the still photographs, carry out any further scans or movements and talk to you about your symptoms.

After discussing the images and results with a sonographer, the radiologist will provide a report to your doctor. Generally, an ultrasound is done in a hospital in a diagnostic imaging, radiology or ultrasound department or in a private radiology practice. Trained sonographers and specialist radiologists work in these facilities. As ultrasound equipment is portable and inexpensive to operate, it can be carried out in a variety of places and by a range of health professionals.

For example, your obstetrician a doctor specialising in delivering babies and the care of women after childbirth may have a small ultrasound system to examine you in your first part of pregnancy, or your rheumatologist a doctor specialising in conditions of the joints or muscles may have a small ultrasound system to guide injections.

Doctors in hospital accident and emergency departments also sometimes use ultrasound. When ultrasound examinations are done outside imaging practices or hospitals, patients or their carers should ensure they are being examined and results interpreted correctly by asking if the examiner is specialised in ultrasound examinations.

The time it takes for your doctor to receive a written report will vary. The private radiology practice, clinic or hospital where your procedure is carried out will be able to tell you when your doctor is likely to receive the report. It is important that you discuss the results with your doctor, so they can explain what the results mean for you.

Obstetric ultrasound: Nuchal Translucency information: www. What is an octreotide scan? Nuclear medicine uses radioactive materials to diagnose or treat diseases. An octreotide scan is one…. What is a dual energy CT? Dual energy CT scans are a relatively new form of CT scanning that use…. What is an X-ray examination? Radiography is the imaging of body structures using X-rays.

X-rays are a form of radiation…. It issues no invitation to any person to act or rely upon such opinions, advices or information or any of them and it accepts no responsibility for any of them. The content of this publication is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Some of the tests and procedures included in this publication may not be available at all radiology providers.

Each person should rely on their own inquires before making decisions that touch their own interests. Find information about a clinical radiology procedure or test: Refine search Reset. Health professional information. Home Medical tests. Ultrasound scan. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Different uses of ultrasound scans Medical issues and ultrasound scans Ultrasound procedure Immediately after an ultrasound scan Taking care of yourself at home after an ultrasound scan Long-term outlook after an ultrasound scan Other types of scans Where to get help.

Different uses of ultrasound scans Doctors commonly use ultrasound for procedures such as: abdominal scans — may be used to investigate abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, abnormal sounds and lumps.

Structures to be examined may include the gallbladder, bile ducts, liver, pancreas, spleen, kidneys and large blood vessels.

A special type of ultrasound scan, called a Doppler ultrasound, is used to detect the speed and direction of blood flow in certain regions of the body, for example, neck arteries and leg veins. Medical issues and ultrasound scans Some ultrasound examinations require special preparation beforehand, such as: You may be asked not to eat for a few hours before an upper abdominal scan. Some pelvic examinations require you to have a full bladder before the scan.

Ultrasound procedure If you are having an upper abdomen ultrasound, you will need to lie down on an examination table or bed. Immediately after an ultrasound scan An ultrasound scan usually takes around 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the type of examination. Long-term outlook after an ultrasound scan Treatment — if any — depends on the reason for your scan. Where to get help Your GP doctor Any ultrasound or medical imaging department.

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