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Ultra Sonography
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WHAT IS ULTRA SONOGRAPHY ?
Ultrasound is a noninvasive imaging test that shows structures inside your body using high-intensity sound waves. Healthcare providers use ultrasound exams for several purposes, including during pregnancy, for diagnosing conditions and for image guidance during certain procedures.
Ultrasound (also called sonography or ultrasonography) is a noninvasive imaging test. An ultrasound picture is called a sonogram. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time pictures or video of internal organs or other soft tissues, such as blood vessels.
What happens during an ultrasound?
Preparation for an ultrasound varies depending on what body part you’ll have scanned. Your provider may ask you to remove certain pieces of clothes or change into a hospital gown.
Ultrasounds that involve applying the transducer (probe) over your skin (not in your body), follow these general steps:
- You’ll lie on your side or back on a comfortable table.
- The ultrasound technician will apply a small amount of water-soluble gel on your skin over the area to be examined. This gel doesn’t harm your skin or stain your clothes.
- The technician will move a handheld transducer or probe over the gel to get images inside your body.
- The technician may ask you to be very still or to hold your breath for a few seconds to create clearer pictures.
- Once the technician has gotten enough images, they’ll wipe off any remaining gel on your skin and you’ll be done.
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:
- Tendons.
- Joints.
- Muscles.
- Cysts or fluid collections.
- Soft-tissue masses.
- Organs (liver, kidney or prostate).
- Transplant organs (liver, kidney or pancreas).
Examples of other procedures that may require ultrasound guidance include:
- Embryo transfer for in vitro fertilization.
- Nerve blocks.
- Confirming the placement of an IUD (intrauterine device) after insertion.
- Lesion localization procedures.