Ultrasound & Doppler (4D)

Ultrasound imaging, or sonography, produces images of the inside of the body using high-frequency sound waves. These images are captured in real-time, and are able to show the structure and movement of the organs. Ultrasound imaging can be used to monitor and diagnose a wide range of conditions within nearly any system of the body.
Why is used : Ultrasound scans are especially useful for examining the breasts, bladder, thyroid, abdominal organs, and male and female reproductive organs. On of the most common uses for this medical imaging is to obtain images of fetuses in the womb. In addition, ultrasound is often used as a real-time guide during needle biopsies for the precise sampling of tissue.

WHAT TO EXPECT

During an ultrasound procedure, the patient lies down on an examination table and gel is applied to the skin at the area to be imaged. The radiologist then moves a transducer, a special handheld instrument, across this area. The transducer enables sound waves to be transmitted back and forth between the body and the device. The transducer then relays this information to a computer.

The examination usually takes from 10-30 minutes to complete.

HOW CAN I PREPARE?

Preparing for an ultrasound varies, depending on the objective of the imaging. While many ultrasounds require no preparation whatsoever, some may require fasting for six hours before the test. In addition, patients undergoing ultrasounds of the uterus, ovaries or prostate are required to arrive with a full bladder, as this enables the organs to be viewed more easily.