Ultrasound scans are widely known and often linked to pregnancy, but it goes beyond that. It provides instant images, making them the go-to choice for many health conditions. People often think ultrasounds are easy compared to other tests and it’s particularly true, it is safe, painless, and dosen’t involve radiation. When doctors need to peek inside your body without X-rays or needles, it is the perfect tool. Ready to know everything about the Ultrasound Scan?
How is the Ultrasound performed?
An ultrasound is performed by a doctor, sonographer radiologist, or any professional who is trained to do ultrasound exams.
Using a small handheld probe gently placed on the skin, External Ultrasounds involve gliding the probe over the examined body part. A lubricating gel is applied to facilitate the smooth movement of the probe. The procedure, lasting 15 – 45 minutes, captures echoes bouncing off different body parts, picked up by the probe, and transformed into a moving image.
Kinds of ultrasound
There are different kinds of Ultrasounds performed. Here’s the list of tests performed under USG scan
External Ultrasounds
This involves the gentle placement of a small handheld probe on your skin gliding over the part of the body examined. A lubricating gel ensures smooth movement of the probe. Common types of external ultrasound include:
Obstetric Ultrasound – Gynecologists/Obstetricians use USG Scan for monitoring the fetus throughout the pregnancy. It generally assesses the baby’s growth, heart rate, any abnormalities, and delivery complications. It is also performed at all three trimesters for various purposes such as determining the gestational age of the fetus, checking the baby’s position, chromosomal abnormalities, etc
Abdominal Ultrasound – It is performed to assess the structures and organs inside the abdomen. This includes the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, bile ducts, spleen, abdominal aorta important blood vessels in your belly.
Doppler Ultrasound – Doppler Ultrasound is performed to monitor the blood flow and whether there are any blockages or other irregularities. The principle behind Doppler ultrasound is the Doppler effect, which involves the change in frequency of sound waves as they bounce off moving objects i.e. red blood cells.
Pelvic Ultrasound – This is the primary diagnostic procedure for identifying ovarian cancer in particular. It also detects any unusual growths or cysts within the ovaries by examining the pelvic area.
Transrectal Ultrasound Study – A transrectal ultrasound scan (TRUS) is a procedure which is generally used to examine the prostate gland. It helps obtaining tissue samples from the prostate, as a TRUS-guided biopsy. This procedure helps diagnosing prostate cancer.
Internal Ultrasounds
Transvaginal & Transrectal Ultrasound
Also known as Transvaginal ultrasound, involves inserting a probe through the vagina to obtain a closer look at the ovaries and uterus. While internal examinations may cause some discomfort, they are generally painless.
In Transrectal Ultrasound, a probe inserted into the rectum, closely examines the prostate and uterine glands. This technique diagnoses the prostate conditions and also helps in performing ultrasound-guided needle biopsies to obtain tissues.
Endoscopic Ultrasound
An endoscope, inserted through the mouth, explores internal organs such as the stomach or esophagus. While lying on the side, the endoscope, equipped with a light and device on its tip, generates images using sound waves.
Limitations
- It faces limitations when it comes to diagnosing certain areas, like the intestines, due to obstruction of sound waves by air and vapors.
- It only visualizes the outer surface of bones and cannot provide insights into the internal structure of bones.
- It may be less effective for overweight and obese individuals, potentially affecting the quality and accuracy of imaging results.
What are the preparations required?
Preparation guidelines vary based on the specific procedure and the body part scanned. While some ultrasounds require no specific preparation, others do. For bladder, pelvic, and pregnancy ultrasounds, drinking water may be necessary. On the other hand, for abdominal ultrasounds, you need to to abstain from eating or drinking for 4-8 hours before the examination to ensure clear visualization. Besides, always consult your doctor for precise preparation instructions.
Risks Associated
Ultrasound carries no known risks and it is a safe imaging technique. It doesn’t expose individuals to radiation; instead, it uses harmless sound waves.
However, it’s essential to have it conducted in accredited medical facilities or laboratories, supervised by qualified doctors or trained sonographers, ensuring adherence to safety protocols. Avoid places offering “keepsake” 3D or 4D images or videos, as they might not maintain the necessary safety standards.
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