DEFINITION

Ultrasound is a technique used to study internal body organs by directing high-frequency sound waves into the body using a hand-held device (a transducer) and recording and processing the reflected sound to create an image of the organs being examined.

DESCRIPTION

An Ultrasound Scan is most often used in the following instances:
- Abdominal Ultrasound may be performed to monitor the foetus during pregnancy; to determine the cause of abdominal pain; to investigate possible abdominal trauma; to investigate abdominal masses (e.g. abnormal growths); to investigate liver, pancreatic, spleen and kidney disease; to identify gallstones; to identify and monitor abdominal aortic aneurysms.
- Heart imaging.
- Checking the interior of an eye.
- A breast Ultrasound may be used to determine whether a lump is caused by a cyst or a solid mass.
- A special type of Ultrasound Scan, called a Doppler Ultrasound, is sometimes used to detect the rate of blood flow in certain regions of the body.
- Ultrasound can also be used as a visual aid during surgery (e.g. guiding a needle to drain fluid from a cyst or taking cells for biopsy.
- High-intensity Ultrasound is used to treat soft tissue injuries (e.g. strains and tears) and destroy certain types of tumours and gallstones.

PHARMACIST'S ADVICE

Ask your Pharmacist for advice.
1) If you are pregnant, ask about a range of vitamins and dietary supplements to maintain the health of you and your baby during pregnancy.
2) For more information on pregnancy, see the Pregnancy topics on the Healthpoint.
3) If you have any queries about your condition or the Ultrasound Scan procedure, ask your Pharmacist for advice.

METHOD

The Ultrasound Scan takes place while you are lying down on a table. A layer of gel is spread over the area to be examined - this allows the hand-held transducer to glide easily across the skin. The trasducer is then moved across the skin to obtain different views of the area being studied. You may be asked to change positions while the images are being collected.

The Ultrasound Scan usually takes around 30 minutes, although some scans may take longer (e.g. Ultrasound of the blood vessels may take up to one and a half hours).

PREPARATION

Depending on the type of Ultrasound you are having, you may be required to avoid food and drink before the procedure or you may be required to drink a lot of fluid so that you have a full bladder.

NOTES

Women who are pregnant or believe they may be pregnant should inform their Doctor, as some Ultrasound procedures are unsuitable for pregnant women (e.g. those that investigate deeply recessed abdominal organs).

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