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Medi-Rad Associates Ltd Radiologic Clinic

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Bone Mineral Densitometry I Breast Imaging Services I Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Computed Tomography I Contrast Study I Fluoroscopy I General Radiography I Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Nuclear Medicine & PET Scan I Ultrasound

ULTRASOUND

	What is Ultrasound?
	Common Uses of Ultrasound Scanning
	Preparation
	Procedure
	What Will I Experience During the Procedure?
	When Can I Expect Results?
	Benefits
	Risks
	Other Uses of Ultrasound
	Services Available
	Locations Where Ultrasound Is Available

WHAT IS ULTRASOUND?

Ultrasound imaging, sometimes called ultrasound scanning or sonography, is a method of "seeing" inside the human body through the use of high-frequency sound waves.

The sound waves are recorded and displayed as real-time visual image. No ionising radiation is involved in ultrasound scanning.

In most ultrasound examinations, a transducer, a lightweight device which produces sound waves, is placed on the patient's skin. There are also special transducers which can be pt into the vagina or rectum to image these areas of the body.

In an ultrasound examination, the sound waves reach tissues and organs inside the body. Echoes are produced where tissues touch one another. They are sent back to the transducer, which electronically converts the echoes into an image displayed on a video screen.

COMMON USES OF ULTRASOUND SCANNING

To "see":

-	Abdominal organs, eg. liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys and bladder
-	Pelvic organs, eg. prostate, uterus and ovaries
-	Superficial organs, eg. breast, thyroid, joints (shoulders, ankles)
-	The heart

To monitor the development of the embryo or foetus during pregnancy.

To guide procedures such as needle biopsies, in which a needle is used to sample cells from an organ for laboratory testing.

PREPARATION

	Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes.
	For gallbladder examinations, a fasting period of four to six hours is required to visualise your gallbladder. Otherwise, no fasting is needed.
	For pelvic ultrasound, you may be asked to drink up to six glasses of water prior to your exam and avoid urinating, so that your bladder is full when the scan begins.

PROCEDURE

	You will lie on your back on an examination table.
	A clear gel is applied to the area of your body that is to be examined. This helps the transducer make secure contact with the skin. The sound waves produced by the transducer cannot penetrate air, so the gel helps eliminate air pockets between the transducer and the skin. The gel is water soluble, safe and harmless. It can be easily wiped off after the scan with a tissue paper.
	The radiographer presses the transducer firmly against the skin and sweeps it back and forth to image the area of interest.
	Transvaginal and transrectal ultrasound involves the insertion of the transducer into the vagina and rectum respectivelu. A protective cover is placed over the transducer, lubricated with a small amount of gel and then inserted into the vagina or rectum. The images are obtained from different orientations to get the best views of the uterus and ovaries, or the best view of the prostate gland.
	For pelvic ultrasound, it may be done transabdominal or transvaginal to see the uterus and ovaries. Similarly for prostate gland, it may be done transabdominal or transrectal.
	When the examination is complete, the gel can be easily wiped off with a tissue paper and you may be asked to dress and wait while the ultrasound images are reviewed.

WHAT WILL I EXPERIENCE DURING THE PROCEDURE?

	Ultrasound imaging is painless, fast and easy. The radiographer will spread some gel on your skin, then press the transducer firmly against your body, moving it until the desired images are captured. There may be varying degrees of discomfort from pressure as the radiographer guides the transducer over your abdomen, especially if you are required to have a full bladder.
	The examination usually takes about 30 minutes. If blood flow visualisation is required, it may take up to 60 minutes.

WHEN CAN I EXPECT RESULTS?

The radiologist will review the images and send the report to your doctor, who will then discuss the scan results with you.

BENEFITS

	It is non-invasive and is usually painless.
	It is widely available and easy to use.
	It does not use ionising radiation and is the preferred image modality for diagnosis and monitoring of pregnant women and their unborn infants.
	It provides real-time imaging, making it a good tool for guiding minimally invasive procedures such as needle biopsies.
	It can visualise structure, movement and live function in the body's organs and blood vessels.

RISKS

For standard diagnostic ultrasound, there is no know harmful effects on humans.

OTHER USES OF ULTRASOUND

	Ultrasound is also commonly used to diagnose disease in children since it does not use X-ray radiation.
	It also is used to image breasts as a supplement to a mammogram, an X-ray of the breasts.
	Ultrasound images can show the shape, texture and composition of tumours and cysts that sometimes cannot be seen on ordinary X-ray studies. Cancerous and non-cancerous growths may have different appearances.
	Ultrasound provides new ways to picture the musculoskeletal system. For example, it may show an athletic injury that doesn't show up on regular X-rays. Ultrasound is also used to image the gallbladder and kidney.
	Cardiac ultrasound uses soundwaves to examine the heart. In many cases it reveals how the heart is working.
	Doppler ultrasound, a recent advance, shows the flow of blood through veins and arteries. It is commonly used to detect clogged blood vessels. It is also being used after kidney transplantation to see if the patient's body is rejecting the transplant.

SERVICES AVAILABLE

ULTRASONOGRAPHY

	Gallbladder
	Liver
	Pancreas
	Kidneys
	Pelvis
	Obstetrics
	Thyroid
	Biliary Tract
	Abdomen
	Bladder
	Breast

SERVICES ONLY AVAILABLE AT MOUNT ELIZABETH MEDICAL CENTRE

	Testicles
	Prostate
	Hips
	Shoulders
	Carotid Doppler
	Aorta Peripheral Artery - upper limb
	Peripheral Vein - lower limb
	Renal Arteries

LOCATIONS WHERE ULTRASOUND IS AVAILABLE

Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre (full range of services)

Health Promotion Board

Jurong East

Paragon

Gleneagles

Arcade

Novena

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