Ultrasound Scan

Overview:

Ultrasound is a type of scanning technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to get images of internal body structures. It is also known as sonography or medical sonography.

An ultrasound scan can be used to monitor a pregnancy, to diagnose any condition, or guide a surgeon during certain procedures.

When it’s done:

Ultrasound is recommended depending on the symptoms and for:

• The assessment of a breast lump
• The assessment of the fetus inside the uterus during Pregnancy
• Assess gynecological conditions
• Tumor treatment or Guide a needle for biopsy
• Find genital and prostate problems
• The evaluation of the thyroid gland
• The diagnosis of cancer
• The diagnosis of infections
• The diagnosis of a gallbladder disease
• Assessing abnormalities of muscles and tendons
• Evaluate blood flow

When to Avoid:

There is no specific condition when this scan should be avoided.

How to prepare:

Most ultrasound procedures do not require preparation. The exceptions are listed below:

Abdominal Ultrasound and Abdominal Ultrasound with Doppler(Liver, spleen, kidneys, pancreas, gallbladder, abdominal aorta, biliary system)

• Adults: Avoid eating or drinking eight hours prior to the exam.
• Children: Skip one meal or avoid eating or drinking four hours before the scan study.
• Take your usual medications with a small sip of water.
• If you are diabetic, kindly take your insulin.

Pelvic Ultrasound (Uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, urinary bladder)

• Eat normally.
• One hour before your exam, drink a good amount of water.
• Refrain from emptying your bladder prior your exam.

Bladder Ultrasound

• Drink good amount of water for both male and female patients, one hour before your exam.

Prostate-Transrectal Ultrasound

• Two hours prior the exam, Fleet enema cleansing must be done.

Transvaginal Ultrasound

• Drink a good amount of water one hour prior exam. Do not urinate prior exam, so you arrive for the exam with a full bladder.

Hysterosonogram

• No unprotected sexual relations during the first ten days of your menstrual cycle.

Ultrasound-Guided Biopsies

• Ultrasound breast biopsy
• Liver biopsy / paracentesis / thoracentesis / prostate biopsy
• Avoid eating or drinking after midnight the day before your biopsy.
• You must be off aspirin, blood thinners, and vitamin E for seven days before your biopsy.