Ultrasound

Your Doctor/Specialist/Referrer has referred you for an ultrasound scan.  This information will inform you about what an ultrasound scan involves.

What is an Ultrasound?
Ultrasound is defined as sound with a frequency greater than 20,000hz, above the range audible to the human ear. An ultrasound scan is safe and generally non-invasive test that uses high frequency sound waves to image internal structures of the body, performed by a highly trained medical professional, usually a sonographer or specialist doctor such as a radiologist.

Ultrasound is used for examining blood vessels, abdominal and pelvic organs, thyroid glands, breasts, testes, muscles and tendons.

Sometimes ultrasound is used to enable radiologist doctors to perform targeted biopsies, drainages, fluid aspirations or wire or catheter placements.

A water-based gel is applied to the body to allow passage of the sound waves through the skin and then the transducer/probe is placed in contact with the skin and moved over the surface of the body.  The returning sound waves are received back by the transducer and converted into an image, which is viewed in real-time on a computer monitor.  An ultrasound examination is generally painless and can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour, depending on which body part is being examined. Often an internal ultrasound examination for women is required to view the pelvic organs with greater detail.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding this procedure contact your referring Doctor.

You will be sent specific preparation instructions with your appointment letter.

Patients attending for general ultrasound scans shall have the right to have a support person or persons present during the performance of the scan, provided this does not interfere with the professional performance of the scan.

The results of your procedure will be available from your own doctor, referring doctor, midwife or physiotherapist once they have been reported on by our Radiologists (Specialist x-ray doctors).  No results will be available at the time of your visit.