All types of diagnostic and pregnancy ultrasound and guided procedures are done.

ULTRASOUND:WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW?

Ultrasound (also called sonography or ultrasonography) is a noninvasive imaging test. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time pictures or video of internal organs or other soft tissues, such as blood vessels.Ultrasound enables healthcare providers to “see” details of soft tissues inside your body without making any incisions (cuts). And unlike X-rays, ultrasound doesn’t use radiation.

What are the different kinds of ultrasounds?

There are three main categories of ultrasound imaging, including:

• Diagnostic ultrasound.

• Pregnancy ultrasound

• Ultrasound guidance for procedures.

Pregnancy ultrasound

Ultrasound is used to:

• Confirm that you’re pregnant.

• Check to see if you’re pregnant with more than one fetus.

• Estimate how long you’ve been pregnant and the gestational age of the fetus.

• Check the fetal growth and position.

• See the fetal movement and heart rate

• Check for congenital conditions in the fetal brain, spinal cord, heart or other parts of its body.

• Check the amount of amniotic fluid.

When to get pregnancy ultrasound done:

No hard and fast rule but in general following ultrasound are done during pregnancy:

• 1st (6-8weeks)- to confirm viability, establish gestational age,determine the number of feti etc.

• 2nd(11.3-13.6weeks)- aka NT/NB scan-this ultrasound measures the space at the back of a fetus' neck and presence/absence of nasal bone. Abnormal measurements can indicate Down syndrome and other congenital disabilities of the heart, abdomen, and skeleton.

In addition to an abdominal ultrasound, an NT screening includes measuring hormones and proteins with a blood test(Double marker test)

• 3rd(18-24 weeks): Level-II scan aka anomaly scan to see any structural abnormality of fetus.

• 4th(28-34weeks): color Doppler(always associated with growth scan) to check fetal umbilical blood flow, placental blood flow and blood flow in the heart and brain.

• In addition growth scan are advised by your doctor as and when required.

Diagnostic ultrasound

Diagnostic ultrasounds is used  to view internal parts of your body to see if something is wrong or not working properly and learn more about what’s causing a wide range of symptoms, such as unexplained pain, masses (lumps) or what may be causing an abnormal blood test.

Ultrasound guidance for procedures

Providers sometimes use ultrasound to perform certain procedures precisely. A common use of ultrasound is to guide needle placement to sample fluid or tissue from:

• Cysts or fluid collections.

• Soft-tissue masses.

• Organs (liver, kidney or prostate).

• Embryo transfer for in vitro fertilization.

• Nerve blocks.

• Confirming the placement of an IUD (intrauterine device) after insertion.

• Lesion localization procedures.

What is the difference between a 2D, 3D ultrasound and a 4D ultrasound?

For ultrasounds during pregnancy, the traditional ultrasound is a two-dimensional (2D) image (aka grey scal image) of the fetus. 2D ultrasound produces outlines and flat-looking images.

Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound allows the visualization of some facial features of the fetus and possibly other body parts such as fingers and toes. Four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound is 3D ultrasound in motion. 

While ultrasound is generally considered to be safe with very low risks, the risks may increase with unnecessary prolonged exposure to ultrasound energy or when untrained users operate an ultrasound machine. Because of this, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against getting a 3D ultrasound for non-medical reasons such as for “keepsake” moments or entertainment.

Who performs an ultrasound?

A doctor trained in radiology(known as radiologist) performs ultrasounds. They’re specially trained to operate an ultrasound machine properly and safely.

It’s important to always have your ultrasound performed only by a radiologist.

TEST DETAILS:

How do I prepare for an ultrasound?

The preparations will depend on the type of ultrasound you’re having. Some types of ultrasounds require no preparation at all.

For ultrasounds of the abdomen, you may need to adjust your diet or fast (not eat or drink anything except water) for several hours before your test and you may need to fill up your bladder by drinking water before the test.

Is an ultrasound painful?

Ultrasounds that are performed externally (over your skin) are generally not painful. You won’t feel the sound waves that ultrasound uses. If you have to have a full bladder for the procedure, it may be uncomfortable. 

Ultrasounds that go inside body cavities, such as your vagina or rectum, may be uncomfortable, but they shouldn’t hurt.

Are ultrasounds safe?

Yes, research to date has largely shown ultrasound technology to be safe with no harmful side effects. Ultrasound doesn’t use radiation, unlike some other medical imaging tests, such as X-rays and CT scan.

Still, all ultrasounds should be done by a professional who has training in using this specialized technology safely.

What conditions can be detected by ultrasound?

Ultrasound can help providers diagnose a wide range of medical issues, including:

• Abnormal growths, such as tumors or cancer.

• Fluid or blood clots in abdomen.

• Liver diseases like hepatitis/abscess/tumors.

• Intrauterine or Ectopic pregancy

• Gallstone

• Kidney or urinary bladder stones.

• Cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation).

• Varicocoele (enlarged veins in the testicles) etc.

• Thyroid or breast diseases.