It is the name given to high frequency sound waves, so high that the sound cannot be heard by the human ear.  It is sometimes called sonography or ultrasonography.  An ultrasound transducer (probe), similar to a small microphone, transmits extremely short pulses of very high frequency ultrasound into the body and within a fraction of a second receives back multiple echoes from the part of the body being examined.  These echoes are converted almost instantaneously into two dimensional black and white images which can be recorded as a print or on DVD.  Diagnostic ultrasound is a very established, cost effective imaging tool which does not produce radiation and there are no known harmful effects.  It has had a significant impact on virtually all areas of medicine and Patient care.

• Pregnancy. Ultrasound is regarded as the gold standard diagnostic examination for monitoring pregnancy and is a crucial part of obstetric (pregnancy) care. It is used to date pregnancy and assess normal development from a very early age. Whilst the vast majority of pregnancies are normal and result in the birth of a healthy child, ultrasound is also an integral part of screening for Down's Syndrome and the detection of any abnormalities which might affect your baby. So ultrasound is able to give Parents reassurance at all stages of the pregnancy.
• Gynaecology. It is used to image the uterus (womb), ovaries and other organs within the pelvis. As well as associated gynaecological problems, it can help ascertain the source of pain or bleeding in the female pelvis and has an important role in the early detection of pelvic (ovarian) cancers.
• General. Ultrasound is the ideal imaging tool for examination of the liver, gall bladder, pancreas, kidneys and other soft-tissue organs within the abdomen (stomach). Gallstones and kidney stones can be detected and the cause of abdominal pain investigated. Specialised examinations also include the breast, thyroid and neck, testes, as well as musculo-skeletal problems.
• Cancer. Ultrasound can locate tumours in soft-tissue organs often from a very early stage of development. It can usually distinguish between malignant and non-malignant damage within the major organs. Ultrasound-guided needle biopsy (removal of tissue using a needle instead of surgery) is particularly valuable.
• Vascular (Blood Vessels). Ultrasound can also identify localised swelling in blood vessels, blood clots, narrowing of the arteries leading to the brain which could result in a stroke and aneurysms (a bulge in the artery which can weaken the wall), particularly in the aorta. It can also be used to examine your legs to detect Deep Vein Thrombosis (blood clot).

Transvaginal scanning is now the recognised technique for ultrasound examination of the female pelvic organs.  A narrow probe is gently inserted a few centimetres into the vagina.  This produces very high quality images and gives much more information compared to external (transabdominal) scanning.  The technique is safe and very well tolerated by Patients.  A similar technique is used to examine the prostate gland in men, where a small probe is gently inserted into the rectum to produce much clearer images of the prostate.

3D ultrasound is a new advance which produces 3 dimensional shapes of organs and is particularly useful as part of transvaginal scanning.  4D is the name given to moving 3D images and is widely used in pregnancy scanning to show the baby's external features more clearly and in particular pictures of the baby's face.

Colour Doppler is an advanced technique which shows blood flow through the major blood vessels, as well as very fine blood flow through the organs themselves.  It is very useful in the investigation of vascular (blood vessel) disease and can also show abnormal blood flow associated with infection or early malignancy (a tumour which may spread to other parts of the body).

Most of the time you do not need to do anything special.  We will let you know about anything you need to do depending on the type of scan you are to have.  For example, we will ask you to not to eat or drink anything for 8 hours prior to an abdominal scan, or to come with a full bladder for a prostate scan.  Please come wearing comfortable, loose fitting clothes but if you do not we will ask you to change into a gown.

You will be met by one of our sonographers, a healthcare professional trained in the use of ultrasound and very experienced in the type of scan you need. He/she will apply a gel to your skin in the area of the scan.  This gel maximises the contact between the transducer (scanning probe) and your skin to produce high quality images.  The sonographer manoeuvres the transducer over the area to be scanned.  Sometimes you may have to lie still, change your position, hold your breath or perform very simple breathing exercises.

Most scans take between 20 and 30 minutes, but more complex scans and multiple pregnancies will take longer.

Our sonographer will help you wash off the gel, check the images and will explain the results to you.  He/she will also advise you about the next step.

Rapid results are essential not only for your peace of mind but also for your Doctor to plan any necessary treatment.  We will give a handwritten report of the scan results to your Doctor, if he/she has asked for one.  A typed report will be emailed or faxed and posted to your Doctor within 24 hours of your scan.  We will give you a copy if you want one.  In urgent cases, our sonographer will immediately telephone the Doctor who referred you to us.  So you can be assured that your medical adviser will know the results quickly.

You are welcome to bring a relative or friend with you or, alternatively, please tell Reception at the time of making your appointment and one of our Personnel should be able to act as your chaperone.