Frequently asked Questions about - ULTRA SOUND

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How should I prepare for the procedure?

You should wear a loose fitting two-piece outfit for the examination. Only the lower abdominal area needs to be exposed during this procedure; consequently, a two-piece outfit will prevent you from having to readjust or remove all of your clothing.

If an ultrasound is required early in your pregnancy, you may be required to have a full bladder for the procedure. Air transmits sound poorly, so if your bladder is distended the air-filled bowel is pushed out of the way and a clear image of the uterus and embryo or fetus is obtained. About an hour and a half before the procedure, you should empty your bladder. You will be instructed to drink up to six glasses of water and avoid urinating until the procedure is completed. A full bladder is usually not necessary in the later stages of pregnancy.

If an ultrasound is required for upper abdomen, you will be required to come for the procedure on an empty stomach (have to remain nil by mouth the previous night). No fluid or food to be taken in the morinig. You will be given laxitives the previous day for proper bowel preparation.

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What does the equipment look like?

The equipment consists of a transducer and a monitoring system. The transducer is a small hand-held device that resembles a microphone.The radiologist or sonographer spreads a lubricating gel on the area being examined and then presses this device firmly against the skin.

The US image is immediately visible on a nearby screen that looks much like a computer or television monitor. The radiologist or sonographer watches this screen during an examination; often, the patient is able to see it as well.

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What are some common uses of the procedure?

Ultrasound imaging is used extensively for evaluating the kidneys, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, and blood vessels of the abdomen. Because it provides real time images, it can also be used to:

• guide procedures such as needle biopsies
• help a physician determine the source of many abdominal pains, such as stones in the gall bladder or kidney, or an inflamed appendix.
• help identify the cause for enlargement of an abdominal organ.

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How is the procedure performed?

You will be asked to lie on your back or side. You will also be asked to expose your lower abdominal area. The sonographer or radiologist then spreads a warm water-soluble gel over your lower abdomen. This gel allows better transmission of the sound waves by making it easier to move the transducer over your abdomen and by eliminating trapped air in abdominal hair. The transducer emits high-frequency sound waves as the sonographer or radiologist moves it over your abdomen. The transducer also detects the sounds that bounce off anatomic structures reflections. Sometimes the radiologist determines that a transvaginal scan will need to be performed. Instead of a transducer being moved over your abdomen, the high-frequency waves will be emitted by a probe (endovaginal transducer) placed in the vagina. This technique often provides improved uterine images of the uterus and ovaries. It is especially useful in early pregnancy. With this approach the urinary bladder needs to be empty.

There are three methods of performing pelvic ultrasound: abdominal (transabdominal), vaginal (transvaginal, endovaginal), and rectal (transrectal). The same principles of high-frequency sound apply in each technique.

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What will I experience during the procedure?

This is a painless procedure. There may be varying degrees of discomfort from pressure as the sonographer or radiologist guides the transducer over your abdomen, especially if you are required to have a full bladder. At times the sonographer may have to press more firmly to get closer to the embryo or fetus to better visualize the structure. This discomfort is temporary. Also, you may dislike the feeling of the water-soluble gel applied to your abdomen. With transvaginal scanning, there may be minimal discomfort as the probe is moved endovaginally.

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How much time does a scan take ?

An average scan could take between 10-20 minutes, however this time depends on the operator as well as machinery.

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What are the benefits vs. risks?

Benefits

• Ultrasound does not use x-rays to produce an image - neither the mother nor her unborn child is exposed to ionizing radiation.
• Ultrasound has been used to evaluate pregnancy for nearly four decades, and there has been no evidence of harm to the patient, embryo or fetus. Nevertheless, ultrasound should be performed only when clinically indicated.

Risks

• For standard diagnostic ultrasound there are no known harmful effects to humans.

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