What do ultrasounds show

Allergy testing is used to find which substances provoke an allergic reaction. Barium tests are used to examine conditions of the digestive tract such as reflux, narrowing or ulceration.

Before a biopsy, you need to discuss a range of issues with your doctor or surgeon. Pathology tests cover blood tests, and tests on urine, stools faeces and bodily tissues. The full blood count FBC test looks for abnormalities in the blood, such as unusually high or low numbers of blood cells.

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How does the procedure work? How is the procedure performed? What will I experience during and after the procedure? Who interprets the results and how do I get them? What are the benefits vs. What are the limitations of General Ultrasound Imaging?

A Doppler ultrasound study may be part of an ultrasound examination. There are three types of Doppler ultrasound: Color Doppler uses a computer to convert Doppler measurements into an array of colors to show the speed and direction of blood flow through a blood vessel. Power Doppler is a newer technique that is more sensitive than color Doppler and capable of providing greater detail of blood flow, especially when blood flow is little or minimal.

Power Doppler, however, does not help the radiologist determine the direction of blood flow, which may be important in some situations. Spectral Doppler displays blood flow measurements graphically, in terms of the distance traveled per unit of time, rather than as a color picture.

It can also convert blood flow information into a distinctive sound that can be heard with every heartbeat. Doctors use ultrasound to evaluate : pain swelling infection Ultrasound is a useful way of examining many of the body's internal organs, including but not limited to the: heart and blood vessels, including the abdominal aorta and its major branches liver gallbladder spleen pancreas kidneys bladder uterus , ovaries , and unborn child fetus in pregnant patients eyes thyroid and parathyroid glands scrotum testicles brain in infants hips in infants spine in infants Ultrasound is also used to: guide procedures such as needle biopsies , in which needles remove cells from an abnormal area for laboratory testing.

Ultrasound of the heart is commonly called an "echocardiogram" or "echo" for short. Doppler ultrasound helps the doctor to see and evaluate: blockages to blood flow such as clots narrowing of vessels tumors and congenital vascular malformations reduced or absent blood flow to various organs, such as the testes or ovary increased blood flow, which may be a sign of infection With knowledge about the speed and volume of blood flow gained from a Doppler ultrasound image, the doctor can often determine whether a patient is a good candidate for a procedure like angioplasty.

You may need to change into a gown for the procedure. Doctors perform Doppler sonography with the same transducer. These exams include: Transesophageal echocardiogram. The doctor inserts the probe into the esophagus to obtain images of the heart. Transrectal ultrasound. The doctor inserts the probe into a man's rectum to view the prostate. Transvaginal ultrasound. The doctor inserts the probe into a woman's vagina to view the uterus and ovaries.

Most ultrasound exams are painless, fast, and easily tolerated. Ultrasound exams that insert the transducer into a body cavity may produce minimal discomfort. Most ultrasound exams take about 30 minutes. More extensive exams may take up to an hour. After an ultrasound exam, you should be able to resume your normal activities immediately. Benefits Most ultrasound scanning is noninvasive no needles or injections.

Occasionally, an ultrasound exam may be temporarily uncomfortable, but it should not be painful. Ultrasound is widely available, easy to use, and less expensive than most other imaging methods. Ultrasound imaging is extremely safe and does not use radiation.

Ultrasound scanning gives a clear picture of soft tissues that do not show up well on x-ray images. Ultrasound is the preferred imaging modality for the diagnosis and monitoring of pregnant women and their unborn babies. Ultrasound provides real-time imaging.

Ultrasound imaging, also known as sonography, uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the inside of the body.

Many people associate this procedure with the abdominal ultrasounds performed during pregnancy. Doctors can use ultrasound results to diagnose a wide range of conditions. Discover the capabilities of ultrasound imaging and its safety. Ultrasound technology uses sound waves to create images of certain types of tissue. During an ultrasound, the technologist applies a gel to the skin near the affected area.

These images show how ultrasound can help guide a needle into a tumor left , where material is injected right to destroy tumor cells. During a transvaginal ultrasound, your doctor or a medical technician inserts a wandlike device transducer into your vagina while you are positioned on an exam table.

The transducer emits sound waves that generate images of your uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. Gel is applied to your skin over the area being examined. It helps prevent air pockets, which can block the sound waves that create the images.

This water-based gel is easy to remove from skin and, if needed, clothing. A trained technician sonographer presses a small, hand-held device transducer against the area being studied and moves it as needed to capture the images. The transducer sends sound waves into your body, collects the ones that bounce back and sends them to a computer, which creates the images.

Sometimes, ultrasounds are done inside your body. In this case, the transducer is attached to a probe that's inserted into a natural opening in your body. Examples include:. Ultrasound is usually painless. However, you may experience mild discomfort as the sonographer guides the transducer over your body, especially if you're required to have a full bladder, or inserts it into your body.