ULTRASOUND SCANNING

WHAT IS ULTRASOUND? Ultrasound scanning has become increasingly important as a way of scanning without using any radiation such as X-rays. Because it does not use radiation, it is thought to be completely safe. It uses very high frequency sound waves to create an image of part of the body. The frequency of the sound waves is around ten million cycles per second (10MHz) which means that the human ear is not able to hear them. Ultrasound scanning uses similar principles to the sonar systems used to detect submarines. When the sound waves are directed at part of the body, different density tissue reflects it in different ways. These reflected waves are translated into an image by a computer.

HOW IS IT PERFORMED?

In preparation for the scan, the patient may be asked to refrain from eating, but you will be allowed to drink some water, depending on which part of the body is to be scanned.

Gel is put on the skin around the area to be scanned, this help the scanner to move smoothly. As the scanner is moved, waves of ultrasound pass through the body, and a picture is formed on a computer screen. This is a painless procedure.

WHAT IS IT USED FOR?

Ultrasound is used on various parts of the body for a variety of purposes. These include examinations of the chest, abdomen, blood vessels (such as to detect blood clots in leg veins) and the evaluation of pregnancy. Evaluation of the thyroid gland and the gallbladder, kidneys, liver spleen and pancreas are easily performed and it is very good for detecting fluid, cysts, tumours or abscesses especially in the abdomen or liver. Aneurysm of the aorta can also be seen.