Procedures
Ultrasound
Overview
An ultrasound scan is a medical test which uses high-frequency sound waves to capture live images of the inside of the body. It is more suitable for use during pregnancy. These images provide valuable information for diagnosing and treating several diseases and conditions.
An ultrasound also called sonography, uses an instrument called a transducer which emits high-frequency sound and records the echoes as the sound waves bounce back to determine the size, shape and consistency of the soft tissues and organs.
When is an ultrasound done?
Ultrasound imaging is used for several reasons such as confirming and dating a pregnancy, diagnosing certain health conditions and guiding doctors through precise medical procedures. It may also be used to:
- View the uterus and ovaries during pregnancy
- Monitor the developing baby’s health
- Evaluate blood flow
- Examine a breast lump
- Check the thyroid gland
- Detect genital and prostate problems
- Assess joint inflammation
- Evaluate metabolic bone disease
There are different types of ultrasounds and sonograms that may be done externally and internally (inside your body), depending on your condition. These include:
- Transrectal ultrasound – This involves the gynaecologist inserting a transducer inside your rectum check the prostate gland.
- Transvaginal ultrasound – This procedure involves the insertion of a transducer into the vagina to examine the pelvic region. This is mostly done to determine the cause of pelvic pain.
- Pelvic ultrasound imaging – These are the most common form of ultrasound that is used to monitor the health of an embryo or fetus during pregnancy. Besides being used for maternity medicine, it may be used to examine the uterus, ovaries, bladder and prostate gland. Pelvic ultrasound is often used to diagnose conditions or causes of conditions such as pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, menstrual problems, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, ovarian and uterine cancers, etc.
- Abdominal ultrasound - This is commonly used to examine internal organs such as the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys and the bladder. It helps the gynaecologist not only diagnose these organs but to also assess the damage caused by abdominal health conditions. Dr Hlabisa may also use an abdominal ultrasound to:
- Guide him through procedures such as needle biopsies, where needles are utilized to take cell samples from organs for laboratory testing.
- Determine the cause of abdominal pains, such as stones in the gallbladder or kidney.
- Identify the cause of enlargement of an abdominal organ.
- Evaluate blockages to blood flow such as blood clots and build-up of plaque.
- Diagnose a congenital malformation.
