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Ultrasound

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a medical imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of internal organs, blood vessels, and other structures within the body. These images, also known as sonograms, can be used to diagnose and monitor a variety of medical conditions.

Ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure that does not use ionizing radiation, making it a safe and painless diagnostic tool. It can be used to diagnose a wide range of conditions such as pregnancy, gallstones, ovarian cysts, and cancer.

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  • WHAT IS ULTRASOUND?

    Ultrasound imaging is a non-invasive and painless test that is performed using a smooth hand-held transducer. The transducer transmits high-frequency sound waves into your body, of which are reflected from different body tissues to produce a real-time moving image on a screen.

    Ultrasound technology is used extensively during pregnancy, and to assess many organs and superficial parts, as well as the heart and blood vessels. Areas of pain, swelling or infection can be directly assessed in real-time. Because ultrasound is readily available and cost-effective, it is often the first diagnostic test ordered for abdominal, pelvic and musculoskeletal pain.

  • WHAT TO DO BEFORE AN ULTRASOUND

    If you are required to receive an ultrasound, please read all the instructions given to you by your doctor or provided by us. In some cases, you may be required to fast, though this is dependent on the type of imaging. Wear clothing that will provide easy access to the area that requires imaging. If possible, please bring any previous, relevant examinations for comparison. If you have diabetes, or you are on any medication, please contact us to check special preparation instructions, and our staff will advise of any specific preparation. Please visit the links below for further information.

  • DURING AN ULTRASOUND

    The sonographer will explain the procedure you are having and if you have any questions, the sonographer will answer them. You will generally be asked to lie down on a padded bed and expose the area of examination. Clear gel is then applied, and the transducer is placed gently with slight pressure to the area. The transducer is slowly moved and rotated on this area, projecting a live image on the screen. The sonographer will dim the lights for better viewing of the monitor.

  • AFTER AN ULTRASOUND

    After your ultrasound is complete, one of our experienced radiologists will interpret and analyse the ultrasound’s images, and provide your referring doctor with a comprehensive report about the findings. It is very important you book a timely follow-up appointment to discuss your results.

  • ULTRASOUND PATIENT SAFETY

    Ultrasound is a safe examination that provides excellent imaging without any known risks.

    Not all causes of pain show on ultrasound, so further testing may be required. Ultrasound does not involve ionising radiation, making it ideal for pregnant women, their babies, and children. The sonographer will set the equipment to the lowest intensity necessary to achieve high-quality images. The results of your scan will be sent directly to your referring Doctor, and it is very important you book a timely follow-up appointment to discuss your results.

  • ULTRASOUND SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL SITES

    Every one of South Coast Radiology’s 17 practices offer ultrasound services.


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Please note; not all services are listed below, and not all services are available at every site

A pregnancy ultrasound is a medical test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the developing foetus in the womb.

To learn more about pregnancy ultrasound, please click here.

Ultrasound Elastography (also known as ARFI) is quickly becoming the new gold standard for fast and accurate diagnosis and monitoring of chronic liver disease. It is used to stage the severity of liver disease by measuring the ‘hardness’ of the liver tissue and fibres, which can be an indication of liver fibrosis.  This is determined by measuring the time a vibration wave, or shear wave, takes to travel to a particular depth inside the liver.

Accurate diagnosis and staging of liver fibrosis is essential for the prognosis and management of chronic liver disease. ARFI provides a non-invasive alternative to painful liver biopsy.

Instead of manual compression, ARFI technology allows the tissue to be compressed by an acoustic ultrasound beam. One advantage of this approach is that the acoustic beam is focused at the region of interest.  This maximizes the local displacement of tissue compared to at the skin surface with uncontrollable stress being applied in deeper tissues.

Using ARFI to assess liver disease

Liver function tests and transient ARFI are non-invasive, sensitive and accurate tools for the assessment of liver fibrosis and for the discrimination between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic liver.

ARFI imaging offers the possibility of performing a quantitative measurement of the elasticity of the hepatic parenchyma during conventional ultrasound evaluations, without requiring additional transducers or other equipment.

Ultrasound Elastography (ARFI) is now replacing liver biopsy as the gold standard in the detection and monitoring of liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatitis associated issues.

Before the scan

The patient will be required to fast for 4 hours prior to their appointment.

During the scan

ARFI is straightforward and painless. The patient will be asked to lay on their back and the test typically takes about 10 minutes to perform.

For a urinary tract ultrasound (kidneys, bladder and ureters, prostate) you must empty your bladder one (1) hour before your appointment, then drink one (1) litre of clear fluid or cordial 30 minutes prior to your scan time. Do not empty your bladder again until after the examination is complete, as your bladder must be full during the scan.

This examination may be performed internally, externally or both. The best way to examine the pelvic organs in detail is to perform a transvaginal (endovaginal) ultrasound, in which the ultrasound transducer is on the end of a thin probe that is inserted into the vagina.

Transvaginal ultrasound is usually recommended for patients who are 18 years and above. If the examination is not urgent, it is best performed between days 5 to 12 of your menstrual cycle. The sonographer will explain the process in detail and ensure that you are happy to have the examination – it will not be performed without your consent.

External pelvic ultrasound

In situations where an internal pelvic ultrasound is not appropriate, the examination will be performed by placing the ultrasound transducer on top of the lower abdomen.

To ensure that the inside of the pelvis area is seen clearly on the screen, a full bladder is required. Empty your bladder one (1) hour before your appointment, then drink one (1) litre of clear fluid or cordial. Do not empty your bladder before your appointment.

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