General
Male and Female Pelvis, Breast, Renal, Abdomen, Neck, Testes
Musculoskeletal
Shoulders, knees and other joints, hernias, neonatal hips and joint injections
Vascular
DVT, carotid/vertebral arteries, renal arteries, leg arteries, abdominal aorta for aneurysm assessment
Obstetric
Dating, Nuchal Translucency, Morphology, Growth
What is Ultrasound and how does it work?
Ultrasound involves the use of high frequency sound waves to create images of organs and systems within the body. The sound waves reflect off body structures and a computer receives these reflected waves and uses them to make a picture. Unlike x-ray there is no ionizing radiation exposure with this test.A clear, water-based conducting gel is applied to the skin over the area being examined to help with the transmission of sound waves. A hand-held probe, called a transducer, is then run over the area being examined. You may be asked to change position during the scan so that other areas can be examined. In certain procedures it is necessary to insert the probe into the body. Please ask your doctor about the specifics of your test.Preparation for the procedure will depend on the area being examined. Some examinations do not require preparation. There is generally little discomfort with ultrasound procedures, however, you may find the gel slightly cold and wet.
Ultrasound Preparations
- Nothing to eat for 5 hours before your appointment
- You may drink water, black tea or black coffee
- No dairy products or fizzy drinks
- No smoking or vaping
- Take any medications as normal
- Empty bladder 2 hours prior to appointment
- Over the next hour drink 1 litre of water
- Hold your bladder for the scan
- If you need to let a little out, please do so but drink some more water
- Empty bladder 2 hours prior to appointment
- Over the next hour drink 500mls of water
- Hold your bladder for the scan
- Nothing to eat or drink for 12 hours prior to your appointment
- You may sip water if required
- Take any medications as normal
- Hold your bladder for 1 hour prior to your appointment
- You do not need to drink any extra fluids
