Dorothy FarrarUltrasound
Diagnostic sonography (ultrasound) is a painless diagnostic imaging method used to visualize structures located under the skin, including muscles, joints, vessels, and internal organs, to detect possible pathological changes or injuries. Obstetric ultrasound is commonly used during pregnancy and is a widely accepted method of examination by the public.
What is ultrasound?
In physics, the term ultrasound is applied to all sound waves with a frequency above the audible range of human hearing (about 20 kHz). The frequencies in diagnostic ultrasound are usually between 2 and 18 MHz. Using special technology, it is possible to broadcast and use ultrasound.
Ultrasound moves freely through liquids and soft tissues. In medicine, it is taken advantage of the fact that ultrasound bounces back like an echo when it hits a dense surface.
Superficial structures such as muscles, tendons, testicles, chest and the neonatal brain can be imaged at a higher ultrasound frequency that provides better resolution. Deeper structures such as the liver and kidneys are imaged at a lower frequency that penetrates the body more strongly.
Function and application
Ultrasound examination is used in medicine for diagnosis or as a therapeutic procedure. The best-known field of application is gynecology, where ultrasound is used to routinely monitor the growth of unborn life or to check for abnormalities.
Echocardiography is an indispensable tool in cardiology, for example, to examine the function of the heart chambers and valves by means of ultrasound.
With abdominal sonography, the solid organs of the abdomen such as pancreas, aorta, liver or kidneys are imaged by ultrasound. Since the sound waves are blocked by gas in the intestine and possible abdominal fat, the diagnostic possibilities are rather limited, but allow tumors or cysts to be detected.
In the meantime, internal ultrasound examinations can also be carried out using small probes, which is used in particular for examinations of the esophagus, the intestine or the reproductive organs.
When used in anesthesiology, ultrasound is used to guide injection needles when placing local anesthesia near nerve pathways.
Also in emergency medicine, ultrasound is routinely used to speed up the care of patients with acute abdominal pain that could be attributed to gallstones or cholecystitis.
Applications
With an ultrasound examination, organs, blood vessels and body tissues can be made visible. These include:
- Heart
- Liver
- Nephritic
- Bladder
- Gall bladder
- Lung
- Blood vessels
- Thyroid
- Uterus
- Oviduct
- Pancreas
An ultrasound examination is used for the following diseases/diagnostics:
- Aneurysm
- Thrombosis
- Heart valve defect
- vascular diseases
- Cancer
- pregnancy
How does the ultrasound scan work?
The ultrasound examination usually takes place on a treatment table. The treating doctor places a probe on the skin over the part of the body that is to be examined. To ensure good contact with the body, a lubricating gel is applied to the skin, which can be easily removed after the treatment.
The probe is connected to the ultrasound machine and a monitor. When scanning, the probe sends pulses of ultrasound through the skin into the body. The ultrasound waves echo the body structures back to the probe, creating an image on the monitor.By moving the ultrasound probe over the surface of the skin, it is possible to create views from different angles that can be diagnosed.
The ultrasound scan is painless and takes about 15-45 minutes, depending on what parts of the body are being scanned. Normally, no special preparation is necessary for the examination, all medication can be taken as usual.
You can usually eat and drink before an ultrasound scan, unless you want to examine specific parts of the abdomen or intestines. In order to examine the bladder or pelvis, the bladder must be full.
Risks, dangers and side effects
Ultrasound scans are painless and safe. Unlike X -rays and other imaging tests, ultrasound does not use radiation. There are no known long-term side effects, and ultrasound rarely causes discomfort to patients.
Since the equipment is small and comparatively flexible, examinations can also be carried out at the bedside. Examinations of the fetus in utero are generally considered safe, although recent studies show an association between long and frequent use of ultrasound and neuronal changes. You should therefore refrain from unnecessary scans.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.