A beginners guide to understanding the basics of ultrasound scans

Uses of ultrasound tests, according to Dr Roy:

The ultrasound waves are produced by an instrument called a transducer. (Source: Freepik)

*To monitor the developing baby in utero in pregnant women. It is also very useful to detect any foetal abnormalities and helps in the early detection of such growth anomalies.

*Very useful in screening for breast lumps, especially in younger women. It is used as an adjunct to mammograms for breast cancer screening and early detection of breast cancer.

*It is indispensable for abdominal and pelvic pathologies like gall stones, uterine fibroid, ovarian cysts, and other tumors.

*Used in imaging of a variety of neck and thyroid disorders.

*Useful in prostate disorders like Benign Prostate Hyperplasia, bladder or kidney stones, and other genito-urinary issues, including prostate and renal cancers.

*Used for elastography studies (Fibro scan) wherein the stiffness of tissue is measured to differentiate between tumor and healthy tissue.

*Doppler ultrasound is used to assess the flow of blood in the blood vessels and this in turn helps in detecting clots, blockages, poor functioning valves in the heart, poor blood circulation in the legs as well as for studying abnormalities in vessels called aneurysms.

*Amongst the therapeutic uses, it is used for a variety of ablative procedures like in certain liver tumors. High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is the use of high-frequency focused ultrasonic waves to destroy uterine fibroids and has good results.

In a similar vein, Dr Noorie, a consultant radiologist, also took to Instagram to share the basics of an ultrasound, writing: “Ultrasound scan uses sound waves which have higher frequencies that humans can’t hear, usually above 20 kilohertz. Basically, it is a diagnostic test that uses sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body.”

 

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Dr Noorie also shared how one can prepare for the test

*Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. You may need to change into a gown for the procedure.

*For some scans, your doctor may tell you not to eat or drink for up to 12 hours before your exam. This timeframe is lower for babies and young children.

*For others, the doctor may ask you to drink up to six glasses of water two hours prior to your exam and avoid urinating. This will ensure your bladder is full when the scan begins.

Dr Roy concluded, “The biggest advantage of ultrasound scan is that it is non-invasive. Such procedures are well-tolerated and safe. It does not use ionising radiation and hence has no risk of radiation exposure and related side effects. Most of the procedures are done on OPD basis and do not need prolonged admission in hospitals. Unlike surgical procedures, they do not have a lot of morbidity associated.”

The expert, however, added that is not an ideal modality of imaging in case of organs that have air, gas or organs behind bones. “It is not the imaging of choice for lungs, brain and bones,” he said.

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