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.

Your Images and Report:

• After your examination, you will be given a copy of the most pertinent images from your study. A report will be provided with the images or sent directly to your referring doctor by fax or email.
• We will store digital copies of all studies on our secure database for comparison with any future examinations.
• Please bring any previous X-rays with you for comparison.
• It is important that you return to your doctor with your examination results. Whether they are normal or abnormal, your doctor needs to know promptly so that a management plan can be formulated.

Special Instructions for Diabetics:

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

Ultrasound Explained

Reflected sound waves are used to image the soft tissues of your body. Ultrasound can be used to image the abdomen, pelvis (including obstetrics and gynecology), blood vessels, and musculoskeletal soft tissues. Ultrasound is an extremely safe and painless procedure.

Preparation:

• Abdomen Ultrasound: Bring your referral, Medicare, and Pensioner Health Care Cards, 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. In general, there is a period of fasting for about 6 hours. Medications may be taken with a sip of water.
• Renal/Pelvic Ultrasound: Bring your referral, Medicare, and Pension Health Care Cards, 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. In general, you will be asked to empty your bladder, drink, and then hold for 1-2 hours prior to the test.

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.

After Your Examination:

• There are no restrictions after having an ultrasound.

Your Images and Report:

• After your examination, you will be given a copy of the most pertinent images from your study. A report will be provided with the images or sent directly to your referring doctor by fax or email.
• Canning Vale Radiology will store digital copies of all studies on our secure database for comparison with any future examinations.
• Please bring any previous images with you for comparison.
• It is important that you return to your doctor with your examination results. Whether they are normal or abnormal, your doctor needs to know promptly so that a management plan can be formulated

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.

Your Images and Report

• After your examination, you will be given a copy of the most pertinent images from your study. A report will be provided with the images or sent directly to your referring doctor by fax or email.
• Canning Vale Radiology will store digital copies of all studies on our secure database for comparison with any future examinations.
• Please bring any previous images with you for comparison.
• It is important that you return to your doctor with your examination results. Whether they are normal or abnormal, your doctor needs to know promptly so that a management plan can be formulated.

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.

Your Images and Report

• After your examination, you will be given a copy of the most pertinent images from your study. A report will be provided with the images or sent directly to your referring doctor by fax or email.
• Canning Vale Radiology will store digital copies of all studies on our secure database for comparison with any future examinations.
• Please bring any previous images with you for comparison.
• It is important that you return to your doctor with your examination results. Whether they are normal or abnormal, your doctor needs to know promptly so that a management plan can be formulated.

Ultrasound Guided Injection

When performing guided injections into joints, tendons, and bursas, ultrasound is extremely helpful in heightening the accuracy of needle placement, which improves the effectiveness of the injection.

Please Advise Us Beforehand

• If you are on anticoagulants such as Warfarin or if you are diabetic, as some injections may affect your sugar levels.
• If you are, or may be, pregnant.

Preparation

• Bring your referral, Medicare, and/or Pension Health Care Card, 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 change into a gown and be comfortably positioned so that the area being examined is most accessible.
• Ultrasound scans are taken to locate the exact position.
• The skin in the area is sterilized with antiseptic, and a local anesthetic is given.
• The injection is then performed, being guided into the correct area via ultrasound.

How Long Does It Take?

• Approximately 15-30 minutes.

After Your Examination

• If a local anesthetic has been used, you may not feel any pain for a few hours. Depending on the type of injection, you may not be able to drive for approximately 6 hours afterward.

Possible Complications

• There is a minor risk of infection post-injection. Please seek medical advice if you experience a high temperature.
• Female patients who have a steroid injection may notice changes in their menstrual cycle.
• Diabetics should closely monitor their blood sugars for 5 days after an injection.
• Please ask our staff for further information on this topic.

Nuchal Translucency

A Nuchal Translucency Scan is a test used to predict the risk of chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome, trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome), and trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome) in unborn babies. This screening test does not diagnose a chromosomal abnormality but identifies those who are at greater risk compared to other women of the same age. The test involves a specialized ultrasound scan combined with the results of a blood test that measures the amount of two pregnancy hormones. The nuchal translucency ultrasound can only be performed between 11 weeks + 3 days and 13 weeks + 6 days of gestation.

Preparation

• Bring your referral, Medicare, and/or Pension Health Care Card, along with any previous imaging related to the pregnancy.
• Instructions on how to prepare for the test will be provided when you arrange the appointment. For a Nuchal Translucency ultrasound, you will be asked to empty your bladder, drink 1 litre of water, and then hold for 1-2 hours prior to the test.

What Happens During the Procedure

• You will be asked to lie on the examination bed.
• Ultrasound gel will be applied to the lower abdomen, and the sonographer will slide and rotate the transducer over this area, creating images of the fetus on the screen.
• The sonographer will assess the size and number of the fetus and the presence of a heartbeat. The sonographer will carefully assess the thickness of the nuchal translucency. The established criteria for accurate measurement are strict, so the scan may take some time. Occasionally, the position of the fetus can make the measurement of the nuchal translucency difficult. In such cases, another scan may need to be performed later in the day or on a different day.
• Sometimes, with your consent, a transvaginal ultrasound may be necessary. This involves using a specifically designed thin probe gently inserted into the vagina, which usually produces clearer images of the developing pregnancy as the probe lies very close to the pelvic organs. A protective, disposable sheath covers the transvaginal probe, which is sterilized. There is no risk to the mother or the fetus during a transvaginal ultrasound.
• Your height and weight will be measured before or after your scan.

How Long Does It Take?

• Usually, the scan takes between 30-60 minutes to complete.

After the Examination

• Specialized software developed by the Fetal Medicine Foundation will be used to calculate the risk of Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities, including trisomy 13 and trisomy 18. The individual adjusted risk for your pregnancy is calculated according to your age, the gestational age of your baby, the measurement of the nuchal translucency, the presence or absence of the fetal nasal bone, and your blood test results. This may be higher or lower than your background risk. A risk greater than 1 in 300 is considered high, and further testing may be required.

Your Images and Report

• After your examination, you will be given a copy of the most pertinent images from your study. A report will be provided with the images or sent directly to your referring doctor by fax or email.
• Canning Vale Radiology will store digital copies of all studies on our secure database for comparison with any future examinations.
• Please bring any previous images with you for comparison.
• It is important that you return to your doctor with your examination results. Whether they are normal or abnormal, your doctor needs to know promptly so that a management plan can be formulated.

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.

Your Images and Report

• After your examination, you will be given a copy of the most pertinent images from your study. A report will be provided with the images or sent directly to your referring doctor by fax or email.
• Canning Vale Radiology will store digital copies of all studies on our secure database for comparison with any future examinations.
• Please bring any previous X-rays with you for comparison.
• It is important that you return to your doctor with your examination results. Whether they are normal or abnormal, your doctor needs to know promptly so that a management plan can be formulated.