Ultrasound

What is Ultrasound?

Ultrasound is similar to ordinary sound waves, except it has a frequency (or pitch) higher than humans can hear. When sent into your body from a transducer (probe) resting on your skin, the sound is reflected off internal structures. The returning echoes are received by the transducer and converted by an electronic instrument into an image on a monitor, similar to a television screen. These continually changing images can be recorded on videotape or film. Diagnostic ultrasound imaging is commonly called sonography or ultrasonography.

An ultrasound scan is an exam that involves taking pictures of the body using sound waves. Ultrasound can be used to look at all soft tissue structures and blood vessels. Pulses of ultrasound are sent through the skin into your body which then echo ('bounce back') from the various parts of the body, creating an image. The scan is carried out by an ultrasonographers or Consultant, and the images are recorded and interpreted in order to make a diagnosis.

There are many medical indications for using diagnostic ultrasound. Pregnancy is probably the most widely recognized reason to have an ultrasound exam. There are, however, many organs in the body that can be examined with ultrasound. The liver, gallbladder, kidneys, spleen, thyroid, breasts, ovaries, uterus, prostate and even the vascular system are a few examples.

There are no known harmful effects associated with the medical use of sonography. Widespread clinical use of diagnostic ultrasound for many years has not revealed any harmful effects

Some Indications for ultrasound exams may include:

• Pregnancy
• Liver problems
• Gall Stones ( Gall bladder exam)
• Kidney and kidney stones
• TIA/Stroke
• Varicose veins
• Suspected DVT
• Limb Ischaemia
• Limb swelling

About your Ultrasound appointment

The London Imaging Centre offers all general ultrasound examinations, as well as vascular scanning. The technique is cost effective, non-invasive and the modality is free of ionising radiation. Access to Vascular ultrasound has vastly improved pre-operative assessment and postoperative follow-up of vascular surgery patients. In addition, to this many patients from other specialities require assessment and screening for suspected vascular conditions.

Useful Ultrasound information

• General Ultrasound Patient Information Leaflet
• Abdominal Ultrasound Patient Information Leaflet
• Pelvic and Abdominal Patient Information Leaflet
• Pelvic Ultrasound Patient Information Leaflet
• Urinary Tract Ultrasound Patient Information Leaflet
• Prostate Ultrasound Patient Information Leaflet
• Transvaginal Ultrasound Patient Information Leaflet