Ultrasound

About Ultrasound

What is Ultrasound?
Ultrasound is the transmission of high frequency sound waves into the body by moving an instrument called a transducer, across the skins surface. It is safe, painless, involves no ionising radiation and has been in use for over 50 years. There are 2 types of ultrasound used in medicine, therapeutic and diagnostic.

Therapeutic ultrasound uses the sound waves to treat musculo-skeletal injuries and you will need to attend a physiotherapy or sports medicine clinic for this type of procedure.

Diagnostic ultrasound uses the returning echoes from the sound waves, along with computers, to produce detailed images of the soft tissue organs of the body. These images are then reviewed by a specialist doctor known as a radiologist or sonologist and a report is prepared for your doctor.

A written referral or request from your doctor or medical practitioner must be provided for a diagnostic ultrasound examination to be performed.

North Coast Radiology offers a comprehensive range of diagnostic ultrasound examinations in numerous locations. All our examinations are performed by fully accredited technicians known as sonographers, using state of the art equipment.

What is Ultrasound used for?
Diagnostic ultrasound is used to help detect abnormalities in a wide range of organ systems. Most people are familiar with its use in dating and assessing pregnancy, but its applications are much greater. Abdominal and pelvic organs such as the liver, kidneys, pancreas, spleen, uterus, ovaries, bladder and prostate are commonly examined as well as superficial structures such as tendons, breasts, the thyroid, scrotum and even the eye. For more specific information regarding obstetric examinations, please refer to the section ' Pregnancy Ultrasound.'

Examinations are also performed to assess acute or chronic disease in the arteries or veins. Ultrasound may be used to detect dislocation in the hips of children up to the age of 18 months, or follow the progress of a baby who has experienced problems due to a premature delivery.

Unfortunately, ultrasound is not the ideal way of examining organs that contain gas or air. These include the stomach, bowel and lungs and other diagnostic procedures are required to assess them. Ultrasound can not penetrate bone and so complex joints such as the shoulder, knee and ankle may require other diagnostic approaches as well.

Your medical practitioner will determine the most appropriate examination for your symptoms.

How long does the examination take?
Appointments are required for most ultrasound examinations and their length will depend on what part of the body is to be examined. Examinations may be as brief as 15 minutes or extend to an hour or more. Pregnancy examinations commonly require 40 minutes or more depending on the position of the foetus as well as other factors.

Whilst every effort is made to keep your appointment time, the special needs of elderly, frail or hospital patients can cause unexpected delays. Similarly, extending an examination for a patient with complex anatomy and/or pathology can result in delays and your consideration and patience in these circumstances is greatly appreciated.

If you have special health needs, or if you are expecting more than one baby, please advise the staff when making your appointment so that the length of your appointment can be scheduled accordingly.

Please note, in the interests of all our patients, children must be well supervised by an accompanying adult at all times when attending the ultrasound department. Due to the complex nature and duration of some ultrasound procedures, children may have to remain supervised in the waiting room whilst an examination is in progress.

What is the preparation for the test?
There are different preparations required depending on the area of the body to be examined. These range from fasting, to being well hydrated or perhaps having to fill your urinary bladder.

When you make your appointment, our staff will advise you on the appropriate preparation for your examination. For children, diabetics or patients with special health needs, please inform the staff when making your appointment. If you are unsure of the type of examination you require, please contact your referring doctor to clarify, so that the correct instructions may be given to you.

Please also see Ultrasound Preparation

Important: unless stated otherwise, please continue to take your usual medication on the day of the procedure.

How is the examination done?
Most diagnostic ultrasounds are done with the patient lying on an examination bed. You may be asked to roll on to your left or right side, raise an arm or to hold your breath to better visualise certain organs. The sonographer may have to apply some firm pressure to help identify more obscure structures. Vascular and musculo-skeletal examinations require the patient to sit or stand for brief periods.

Some gynaecological examinations require a specially designed transducer to be inserted into the patient's vagina. It is the policy of North Coast Radiology that a female staff member be in attendance during these examinations.

Will I have to undress?
All ultrasound procedures require the transducer to be in direct contact with the skin of the area of the body to be examined. A gown may be provided for modesty or to protect clothing from the lubricating gel used, however , the area to be examined will need to be exposed.

And after the examination?
As diagnostic ultrasound does not involve the use of contrast media, and is considered a non-invasive examination, there are no special instructions that we need to give you.

Once the sonographer has completed the examination, the radiologist will generate the report for your referring doctor. You will need to make some arrangements regarding the collection or delivery of your films and report with our clerical staff, before you leave the department. All patients need to return to, or contact their referring doctor regarding their results, so that if any other diagnostic examination or treatment is required, they may be discussed in full.

Please note, that privacy laws require written authority from you, should you wish someone else to collect your films on your behalf.