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Ultrasound
 What
is an ultrasound?
Ultrasonography, which is sometimes called sonography, uses high-frequency
sound waves and a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissues,
and organs. Ultrasounds are used to view internal organs as they
function, and to assess blood flow through various vessels. Ultrasound
procedures are often used to examine many parts of the body such
as the abdomen, breasts, female pelvis, prostate, scrotum, thyroid
and parathyroid, and the vascular system. During pregnancy, ultrasounds
are performed to evaluate the development of the fetus.
How are ultrasounds
performed?
Ultrasounds may be done on an outpatient basis, or as part of inpatient
care. Although each hospital may have specific protocols in place,
generally, an ultrasound procedure follows this process:
1. A gel-like substance is
smeared on the area of the body to undergo the ultrasound (the
gel acts as a conducer).
2. Using a transducer, a tool that sends ultrasound
waves, the ultrasound is sent through the patient’s body.
3. The sound from the transducer is reflected
off structures inside the body, and the information from the sounds
is analyzed by a computer.
4. The computer then creates a picture of these
structures on a television screen. The moving pictures can be
recorded on film videotape.
5. There are no confirmed adverse
biological effects on patients or instrument operators caused
by exposures to ultrasound.
What are the different types of ultrasound?
 Different
ultrasound techniques exist for different conditions. Examples of
some of the more common types of ultrasound exams include:
- Doppler ultrasound –
to see structures inside the body, while evaluating blood flow
at the same time. Doppler ultrasound can determine if there are
any problems within the veins and arteries.
- Vascular ultrasound –
to see the vascular system and its function, including detection
of blood clots.
- Echocardiogram
– to see the heart and its valves, and to evaluate the effectiveness
of the hearts pumping ability.
-
Abdominal ultrasound – to detect any
abnormalities of the abdominal organs (i.e., kidneys, liver, pancreas,
gallbladder) such as gallstones or tumors.
- Renal
ultrasound – to examine the kidneys and urinary tract.
-
Obstetrical ultrasound – to monitor
the development of the fetus.
- Pelvic
ultrasound – to find the cause of pelvic pain, such as an
ectopic pregnancy in women, or to detect tumors or masses.
-
breast ultrasound – to examine a mass
in the breast tissue.
- Thyroid ultrasound –
to see the thyroid and to detect any abnormalities.
-
Scrotal ultrasound – to further investigate
pain in the testicles.
- Prostate ultrasound –
to examine any nodules felt during a physical exam.
-
Musculoskeletal ultrasound – to examine
any joint or muscle pain for conditions such as a tear.
- Interventional ultrasound
– to help the surgeon during a minimally invasive operation
or biopsy.
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