Ultrasound Scan
This very safe and reliable test involves a probe connected to a computer which emits high frequency sound waves.
These ultrasound waves are reflected back from organs in the body and captured by the probe. This creates a visual image which is displayed on a monitor or recorded onto paper for a still image or videotape for moving images.
Almost any organ can be visualised in this way, including heart (echocardiograms), kidneys, liver and other abdominal organs, pelvic organs such as the womb or ovaries, thyroid gland and specific lumps such as breast lumps.
Ultrasound can also be used to guide probes or needles into the right area to collect samples of fluid within cysts or samlpes of lumps for further investigations. This procedure is called Fine Needle Biospy under Ultrasound Guidance.
Ultrasound scans are used routinely for the assessment of the fetus (unborn baby in the womb) in pregnancy as it is safe and can produce very detailed images. Amniocentesis is a procedure similar to that outlined above, where a needle is inserted into the womb to collect amniotic fluid (fluid sorrounding the fetus inside the womb) under ultrasound guidance so that detailed testing can be carried out to determine various aspects about the pregnancy.
There are no known side effects of the ultrasound scan itself although complications can occur from other procedures, for example, needle biopsies or amniocentesis which are done using ultrasound guidance.
How You Will Feel:
How Long Will you stay in Hospital after your Ultrasound Scan (USS)?
Single Day In-patient Care