Today we are going to talk about something that many people have heard of and maybe you have even had at some point. That is the Ultrasound scan . Some people also call it Sonography or Ultrasonography. What does it actually do? Why is it so important to our health? Let's talk about all this simply, in a way that you can understand.
What exactly is an ultrasound scan?
Simply put, an ultrasound is a test that takes pictures or videos of the soft tissues inside our bodies, such as organs and blood vessels, without making any cuts. We call these pictures a sonogram.
Imagine, this is a way to see what's inside your body, just like on TV. This uses high-frequency sound waves to create these images. The most important thing is that it doesn't use any radiation, like X-rays. That's a really big advantage, isn't it?
How does this ultrasound machine work?
When you go for an ultrasound, a doctor or a specially trained technician will slowly move a small device called a transducer or probe over the area of your body that needs to be examined.
Before that, a small amount of gel is applied to your skin. This gel helps the sound waves from the transducer to travel through your body without any obstructions. Don't worry, this gel won't harm your skin or clothes.
Then, the probe converts an electrical current into high-frequency sound waves and sends them into the tissues of your body. You can't hear these sound waves. These sound waves hit various organs and tissues inside your body and bounce back to the probe. The probe converts the returning waves into electrical signals. Then, a nearby computer converts those electrical signal patterns into real-time images or videos and displays them on a monitor. It's like magic, right?
What types of ultrasound scans are there?
There are three main types of ultrasound scans. Let's take a look at what they are.
1. Ultrasound during pregnancy (Pregnancy ultrasound / Prenatal ultrasound)
2. Diagnostic ultrasound
3. Ultrasound used as a guide for medical treatments (Ultrasound guidance for procedures)
Now let's talk about each of these types in a little more detail.
1. Ultrasound during pregnancy (Prenatal Ultrasound)
When most people think of ultrasound, the first thing that comes to mind is the scan done during pregnancy. That's true. We call it a prenatal ultrasound or an obstetric ultrasound. This can provide a lot of important information for both the mother and the baby in the womb.
Why do doctors use this prenatal ultrasound?
- Confirm whether you are pregnant.
- Check to see if there is more than one baby in the womb (like twins).
- Estimate how long you have been pregnant and the baby's gestational age .
- Check the baby's growth and position in the womb (how the baby is positioned).
- Watch the baby's movements and heartbeat .
- Check for any congenital conditions (birth defects) in the baby's brain, spinal cord, heart, or other body parts.
- Check to see if there is enough amniotic fluid around the baby.
Doctors often recommend an ultrasound around 20 weeks . This can help monitor the baby's growth and health. This scan may even reveal the baby's biological sex. You can tell the technician in advance if you want to know this or not.
If there is any suspicion of a problem or congenital condition, the doctor may order additional scans.
2. Diagnostic Ultrasound
Now let's see how Ultrasound can help diagnose diseases or see if there is a problem in a certain part of the body. This is what we call Diagnostic Ultrasound .
Imagine you have persistent pain that doesn't make sense, a new mass/lump somewhere in your body, or abnormal blood test results... In times like these, this scan can be very helpful in finding out what's causing it.
In most diagnostic ultrasounds, the transducer ``(probe)`` I mentioned earlier is placed just above the skin. However, in some cases, for example, the probe may need to be inserted into the vagina or rectum. The type of diagnostic ultrasound you have will depend on your symptoms and your doctor's decision.
Here are some examples of diagnostic ultrasound types:
- Abdominal ultrasound: This involves passing a probe over the skin of the abdomen. It can detect many conditions that can cause abdominal pain.
- Kidney (renal) ultrasound: This is used to check the size, position, and shape of the kidneys, as well as related parts such as the ureters and bladder. It can detect kidney-related conditions such as cysts, tumors, obstructions, and infections.
- Breast ultrasound: This helps to detect lumps and fluid-filled cysts in the breasts. Your doctor may recommend a breast ultrasound if an abnormality is found on a mammogram.
- Doppler ultrasound: This is a special type of ultrasound. It can assess how things like blood are moving inside the body. That is, the doctor can see how blood is flowing through your body's arteries and veins. This Doppler technique is often used as part of a diagnostic ultrasound or as part of a vascular ultrasound.
- Pelvic ultrasound: This looks at the organs in the pelvic area (between the hip bones, in the lower abdomen). For example, the bladder, prostate gland (in men), rectum, ovaries, uterus, and vagina are examined.
- Transvaginal ultrasound: In this, a probe is inserted into the vagina. This helps to clearly see the organs of the reproductive system, such as the uterus and ovaries. This can also be considered an ultrasound of the pelvic cavity.
- Thyroid ultrasound: This is used to examine the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped organ in the neck. It can measure the size of the gland and look for nodules or other abnormalities.
- Transrectal ultrasound: In this, a probe is inserted into the rectum. It is used to examine the rectum or surrounding tissues, for example, the prostate gland in men.
3. Ultrasound as a guide for medical treatment
Sometimes, doctors use ultrasound to help them perform certain procedures accurately. For example, when inserting a needle to take a sample of fluid or tissue from somewhere in the body (such as a biopsy), ultrasound is used to make sure the needle is going into the right place.
Here are some such cases:
- Take samples from tendons.
- Take samples from the joints.
- Take samples from muscles.
- Take samples from cysts or fluid collections.
- Take samples from soft-tissue masses.
- Take samples from organs like the liver, kidneys, and prostate.
- Take samples from transplanted organs (liver, kidney, pancreas).
Other uses of ultrasound guidance:
- Embryo transfer for in vitro fertilization (IVF) is when an embryo is transferred into the uterus.
- Nerve blocks are used in treatments to block nerves.
- After inserting an IUD (intrauterine device), check that it is in place.
- In procedures to precisely identify an abnormal location (lesion) in the body, `(Lesion localization procedures)`.
What are 3D and 4D Ultrasound?
You may have heard of 3D and 4D scans during pregnancy. The Prenatal Ultrasound we usually talk about is 2D (two-dimensional) . This means that the baby's internal organs and structures are seen as a flat picture. This allows the doctor to take a good look at the baby's internal organs and structures.
A 3D (three-dimensional) ultrasound can show the baby's facial features, and possibly even fingers and toes, in three dimensions. A 4D (four-dimensional) ultrasound is when these 3D images are viewed in motion, like a video.
But here's an important thing to remember. Doctors don't often use 3D or 4D scans except for medical reasons (such as to identify a problem with a baby's face or skeletal system). However, 3D ultrasounds can be useful for detecting conditions such as uterine polyps or fibroids.
Although ultrasound is generally considered safe, there are risks associated with unnecessary exposure to ultrasound energy for extended periods of time or when an ultrasound machine is operated by untrained individuals. As a result, even the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against 3D scanning for non-medical reasons, such as as a 'memory' or for fun.
Who performs the ultrasound scan?
This ultrasound scan is performed by either a doctor or a health worker who has received special training for this purpose. We call them an ultrasound technician or a sonographer . These are the people who know how to operate this machine accurately and safely. Therefore, it is very important to always have this test done by a qualified person from a recognized medical center.
Do you need to prepare before an ultrasound?
This will vary depending on the type of ultrasound you are having. Some types of ultrasound do not require any special preparation.
However, for pelvic ultrasounds – that is, scans during pregnancy, scans of the female reproductive system, scans of the urinary system – you may be asked to drink plenty of water and fill your bladder before the scan.
For abdominal ultrasounds, you may be asked to change your diet or fast for a few hours before the scan.
However, your doctor will tell you exactly what to do and how to prepare. So it is very important to follow those instructions exactly. You will be given those instructions when you meet the doctor or when you book the scan.
What happens during an ultrasound examination?
Depending on the type of ultrasound you have, the preparation may vary slightly. You may be asked to remove some clothing or wear a hospital gown.
Ultrasound examinations, where the probe is passed over the surface of the skin (not inserted into the body), are usually performed in this way:
- You will be asked to lie on a comfortable examination bed, either on your side or on your back.
- Then, the ultrasound technician applies a little of the water-soluble gel to the skin surface where the examination is to be performed.
- Then, the handheld transducer or probe is moved back and forth over the gel-coated area.
- Sometimes, you may be asked to remain still for a while, or to hold your breath for a while, to get clear pictures.
- After taking enough pictures, the technician will wipe away any remaining gel from your skin. The test is then over.
An ultrasound usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour . If you have any questions about your scan, don't be afraid to ask your doctor.
Does an ultrasound scan hurt?
This is a problem that many people have. In fact, ultrasound scans done on the surface of the skin do not hurt at all. You don't even feel the sound waves.
But, as I said before, it can be a little difficult to hold a full bladder. If you're a pregnant mother, it can also be a little difficult to lie down in bed.
Scans that involve inserting a probe through the vagina or rectum (e.g., transvaginal ultrasound, transrectal ultrasound) may feel a little uncomfortable, but are usually not painful. If you feel any pain, tell your doctor right away.
Are ultrasound scans safe?
Yes, current research has clearly shown that Ultrasound is a very safe technique with no harmful side effects. As I mentioned before, it does not use any radioactive materials like X-rays or CT scans.
But, remember, this test should always be performed by a professional who is well-trained in using this technology correctly and safely.
How long does it take to know the results of the scan?
The time it takes for you to know the results will vary depending on the type of ultrasound you have. In some cases, such as a pregnancy scan, the doctor may analyze the images and give you details while the test is being performed.
In other cases, a radiologist — a doctor who is specially trained to supervise these types of X-rays and analyze the images and prepare reports — will review the images and write a report. The report will then be sent to your referring doctor, who will then explain the results to you. If you have an electronic medical record, you may be able to see the results before you see your doctor.
What medical conditions can be diagnosed with ultrasound?
Ultrasound examination helps doctors diagnose a wide range of medical conditions. Here are a few examples:
- Abnormal growths, for example tumors or cancer.
- Blood clots.
- Enlarged spleen.
- An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus.
- Gallstones.
- Aortic aneurysm.
- Kidney or bladder stones.
- Inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis).
- Enlargement of the veins in the testicles (varicocele).
Questions to ask your doctor about your ultrasound
If you are also scheduled to have an ultrasound, it is a good idea to ask your doctor about the following:
- What kind of ultrasound do I need?
- How should I prepare before that?
- Will I need to have any other tests?
- When will I know the results of the test?
Finally, I have to tell you... (Take-Home Message)
So, I think you now know a lot about an Ultrasound scan. Ultrasound is not something to be afraid of. It is a very useful, safe, painless, and important diagnostic and testing method.
The most important thing is to always have this test done by a well-trained, qualified professional at a reputable medical center.
If you have any further questions about this ultrasound, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor. They are here to help you. Stay healthy!
` ultrasound, scan, pregnancy, diagnosis, health, medical tests, sonography
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