What is ultrasound scanning?
Ultrasound scanning is a safe and painless procedure used to look at the organs inside the body. It uses high-frequency sound waves and their echoes to create video pictures of the organs. It is especially useful for soft tissue, such as the kidneys, liver, and uterus. Soft tissue does not show up well on regular x-ray images.
When is it used?
Ultrasound is used for numerous medical indications. In obstetrics and gynecology it is used to evaluate the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries, and to evaluate pregnancies.
How do I prepare for ultrasound scanning?
You will need to have a full bladder to allow for optimal visualization. Please drink 24 to 32 ounces of fluid AT LEAST ONE HOUR prior to your appointment time, and then don't go to the bathroom. It may be necessary for you to empty your bladder if a transvaginal exam is needed.
What happens during the procedure?
High frequency sound waves pass through the body from a small device called a transducer placed on your body. A gel is put on the skin to improve the contact between your body and the transducer. The transducer is connected to a computer with a display screen. As the sound waves pass through the body, they are reflected by body organs and create echoes. The computer converts these echoes into images of the body organs. Sometimes it is necessary to place a probe into the vagina for optimal pictures. For these scans, the transducer is shaped like a narrow tube and covered with a lubricated condom like sheath. The probe is inserted gently into the vagina. Generally an ultrasound scan takes 15 to 60 minutes to complete.
What happens after the procedure?
You will see your doctor to review the findings and discuss any needed treatment. As the time needed for the ultrasound varies, please allow 2 to 2 ½ hours for your visit.
What are the benefits of this procedure?
Ultrasound scans help your doctor to see some of the inside of your body. This helps your doctor to diagnose your problem
- Ultrasound waves are considered very safe. There are no known side effects, even for pregnant women and children.
- No medicines are known to interfere with the test results.
- The scans are fast and painless.
- The scans do not use radiation.
- Ultrasound avoids possible hazards of some other tests used for diagnosis (such as bleeding, infection, or reactions to chemicals).
What are the risks of this procedure?
There are no known risks associated with ultrasound scanning for gynecological purposes because the sound waves used are not dangerous.