An ultrasound is indeed a safe and non-invasive procedure that uses very high-frequency sound waves to create high-resolution images of various body parts. It’s commonly used to examine the abdomen, pelvis, blood vessels, and musculoskeletal soft tissues. The procedure is painless and provides valuable information for diagnosing and monitoring medical conditions.

What is it?

An ultrasound examination uses very high-frequency sound waves to produce images of your internal organs and structures.

Preparation:

• Upper Abdomen: No food or drinks, except water, for 12 hours. Drink only water up to 2 hours before the examination as needed for thirst.
• Male and Female Pelvis: Empty your bladder 1 hour before your appointment time, then drink 1 litre of water over 15 minutes.
• Urinary Tract (Kidneys and Bladder): Empty your bladder 1 hour before your appointment time, then drink 1 litre of water over 15 minutes.
• All Other Examinations: No preparation required.

What Happens During the Procedure:

• You may be asked to change into a gown.
• A clear jelly is applied to the skin, and a small plastic probe is moved over the skin above the area being examined. Multiple images are taken throughout the exam.
• The sonographer will be with you throughout the scan and will usually ask questions about your medical history and the reason for the examination to ensure the optimal examination for your problem.
• Obtaining the best images can be challenging and requires considerable time and concentration by the sonographer.
• With consent, an internal examination may be performed during a female pelvic ultrasound.
• The radiologist may need to see you to get more information or to scan to check some findings.

How Long Does It Take?

• An ultrasound takes approximately 15-60 minutes, depending on the complexity.

Special Instructions for Diabetics:

• If your examination requires fasting, book an early morning appointment and have your breakfast and diabetic medication after the examination.

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

The musculoskeletal system includes muscles, tendons, joints, ligaments, and soft tissues. Ultrasound uses reflected high-frequency sound waves to image these structures and assess blood flow within them. Ultrasound is useful in many conditions, including:

• Shoulder: Rotator cuff tears, tendonitis, bursitis, impingement syndrome
• Elbow: Collateral ligament evaluation, triceps/biceps tendons
• Hand/Wrist: Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendon tears
• Hip/Knee: Quadriceps/patellar tendon injuries, Baker’s cyst, bursitis
• Ankle/Foot: Achilles tendon, plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma, joint problems, tendon/ligament issues
• Nerves and Masses: Tumors, cysts, etc.
• Guided Injections

Preparation

• Bring your referral, Medicare, and Pension Health Care Cards, along with any previous imaging related to the region being scanned.
• No preparation is required.

What Happens During the Procedure

• You may be asked to put on a gown.
• Gel is applied to the skin to improve contact between the skin and the transducer (a handheld plastic probe that sends and receives the reflected sound waves to form the image).
• The transducer is moved slowly over the area of interest to acquire images in different planes. The images are displayed on a computer monitor for interpretation.
• Ultrasound is generally painless, but discomfort from transducer pressure may be experienced if the region examined is tender.

How Long Does It Take?

• An ultrasound takes approximately 15-30 minutes, depending on the complexity.

After Your Examination

• There are no restrictions after having an ultrasound.

Obstetric Ultrasound

Ultrasound uses reflected sound waves to obtain images of the unborn baby and pelvic organs. It is a very safe and painless procedure.

Preparation

• Bring your referral, Medicare, and/or Pension Health Care Card, along with any previous imaging related to the region being scanned.
• Instructions on how to prepare for the test will be provided when you arrange the appointment. Generally, for an ultrasound early in the pregnancy (1st and 2nd trimester), you will be asked to empty your bladder, drink, and then hold for 1-2 hours prior to the test. There may be no preparation for an ultrasound performed late in the pregnancy (3rd trimester).

What Happens During the Procedure

• You may be asked to put on a gown.
• Gel is applied to the skin to improve contact between the skin and the transducer (a handheld plastic probe that sends and receives the reflected sound waves to form the image).
• The transducer is moved slowly over the abdomen to acquire images of the baby and pelvic organs in different planes. The images are displayed on a computer monitor for interpretation.
• Ultrasound is painless, but discomfort from transducer pressure may be experienced if your bladder is full.
• You may be asked for permission to perform an internal (transvaginal) examination if a more detailed examination of the cervix is required. You will be asked to wear a gown after emptying your bladder and undressing from the waist down. A sheet will cover your lower abdomen. A sterilized and covered transducer coated with gel is placed carefully into the vagina where it lies closer to the cervix.

How Long Does It Take?

• An ultrasound takes approximately 15-60 minutes, depending on the complexity.

After Your Examination

• There are no restrictions after having an ultrasound.

Vascular Ultrasound

Vascular ultrasound uses reflected sound waves to image arteries or veins in various parts of the body, including the neck, abdomen, pelvis, arms, and legs. A Doppler ultrasound is a technique that evaluates the speed, direction, and character of blood flow. This technique can detect narrowing, blockage, and dilation (aneurysm) of vessels. Varicose veins may also be evaluated.

Preparation

• Bring your referral, Medicare, and Pension Health Care Cards, along with any previous imaging related to the region being scanned.
• No preparation is required.

What Happens During the Procedure

• A clear jelly is applied to the skin, and a transducer is moved over the skin above the area being examined. Multiple images are taken throughout the exam.
• The sonographer will be with you throughout the scan and will usually ask questions about your medical history and the reason for the examination to ensure the optimal examination for your problem.
• Obtaining the best images can be challenging and requires considerable time and concentration by the sonographer.
• The radiologist may need to see you to get more information or to scan to check some findings.

How Long Does It Take?

• The procedure takes between 30-90 minutes.