Ultrasound examinations

 

Ultrasound is a painless imaging method used to examine internal organs: heart, liver, gall bladder (bile), spleen, kidney, uterus, prostate and blood vessels.

The device used is called ultrasound machine. Ultrasounds are reflected from the body to obtain the images.

 

The ultrasound beams are not X-ray! Therefore, ultrasound is also performed during pregnancy.

 

What diseases can be detected by abdominal ultrasound?
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• Liver disease: cirrhosis, benign and malignant tumours, cysts, hematomas, abscesses
• Diseases of the gall bladder (bile) calculi (stones), polyps, malignant tumours
• Diseases of the pancreas: pancreatitis, cysts, benign and malignant tumours
• Diseases of kidney stones (stones), benign and malignant tumours, pyelonephritis, congenital malformations
• Diseases of the spleen: splenomegaly (enlarged spleen in various diseases: leukaemia, lymphoma, liver cirrhosis, chronic infections, etc.)
• Diseases of the uterus and appendages: uterine fibroids, cancer, ovarian cysts
• Diseases of the prostate: prostate enlargement that occurs in the adenoma, cancer
• Ascites: is an abnormal accumulation of fluid (water) in the abdomen
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm, a dilation (enlargement) of the most important arteries in the abdomen abnormal

 

How should the patient prepare himself for ultrasound examination?

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Abdominal ultrasound examination (general)

Do not to eat less than 6 hours before the examination, during which you should not consume soft drinks or coffee. Water and tea are allowed in this period. If ultrasound is made on the pelvic organs (uterus, ovaries, prostate), it is necessary to have a full bladder. To this end, it is recommended that patients consume liquids (water, tea) 2-3 hours before the exam and not to urinate.

Cardiac ultrasound examinations (Echocardiography)

Only an ECG is required prior to echocardiography examination.

Ultrasound examinations of blood vessels

For ultrasound of the blood vessels no prior preparation is required.

 

How are the examinations performed?

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The patient is laid down on his back for consultations. The doctor applies a small amount of gel on the patient's abdomen. The role of the gel is to help the ultrasound transmission. The examination is performed using the sensor, which is a small instrument that belongs to the ultrasound. The sensor is applied to the skin and the doctor moves it to get the best and most complete picture possible. The operation is completely painless. During examination the patient is asked to change his position from time to time to obtain information on various organs.

 

What are the risks involving an ultrasound?

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So far there is no risk reported for ultrasound.