Radiology

Ultrasound (also called sonography or ultrasonography) is a noninvasive imaging test. An ultrasound picture is called a sonogram. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time pictures or video of internal organs or other soft tissues, such as blood vessels.

Ultrasound enables healthcare providers to “see” details of soft tissues inside your body without making any incisions (cuts). And unlike X-rays, ultrasound doesn’t use radiation.

Although most people associate ultrasound with pregnancy, healthcare providers use ultrasound for many different situations and to look at several different parts of the inside of your body.

Uses of Ultrasound In Common Practice

There are three main categories of ultrasound imaging, including:

  • Pregnancy ultrasound (prenatal ultrasound).
  • Diagnostic ultrasound.
  • Ultrasound guidance for procedures.

Pregnancy Ultrasound

Healthcare providers often use ultrasound (often called prenatal or obstetric ultrasound) to monitor you and the fetus during pregnancy. Providers use prenatal ultrasound to:

  • To confirm pregnancy.
  • To check number of fetuses (single or twins)
  • Estimate duration of pregnancy and the gestational age of the fetus.
  • Check the fetal growth and position.
  • See the fetal movement and heart rate.
  • Check for birth defects in fetus
  • Check the amount of amniotic fluid

Diagnostic Ultrasound

Diagnostic ultrasounds are used to view internal parts of body to see if something is wrong or not working properly. This test helps in understanding the reasons for the symptoms, such as unexplained pain, masses (lumps) or what may be causing an abnormal blood test. Different types of diagnostic ultrasounds include Abdominal ultrasound, Kidney ultrasound, Breast ultrasound, Pelvic Ultrasound, Doppler ultrasound (special ultrasound that helps detect movement of blood in the various parts of body).

Ultrasound guidance for procedures

A common use of ultrasound is to guide needle placement to sample fluid or tissue from:

  • Tendons
  • Joints
  • Muscles
  • Cysts or fluid collections.
  • Soft-tissue masses.
  • Organs (liver, kidney or prostate).
  • Transplant organs (liver, kidney or pancreas)

Thereby, various procedures can be performed and this can help in both diagnosing and treating.

What is the difference between a 3D ultrasound and a 4D ultrasound?

For ultrasounds during pregnancy, the traditional ultrasound is a two-dimensional (2D) image of the fetus. 2D ultrasound produces outlines and flat-looking images, which allows your healthcare provider to see the fetus’s internal organs and structures.

Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound allows the visualization of some facial features of the fetus and possibly other body parts such as fingers and toes. Four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound is 3D ultrasound in motion.

Providers rarely use 3D or 4D fetal ultrasound imaging for medical purposes, though it can be useful in diagnosing a facial or skeletal issue. They do, however, use 3D ultrasound for other medical purposes, such as evaluating uterine polyps and fibroids.

Are ultrasounds safe?

Yes, research to date has largely shown ultrasound technology to be safe with no harmful side effects. Ultrasound doesn’t use radiation, unlike some other medical imaging tests, such as X-rays and CT scans.

Is an ultrasound painful?

Ultrasounds that are performed externally (over your skin) are generally not painful. You won’t feel the sound waves that ultrasound uses. If you have to have a full bladder for the procedure, it may be uncomfortable. It may also be uncomfortable to lay on the exam table if you’re pregnant.

Ultrasounds that go inside body cavities, such as your vagina or rectum, may be uncomfortable, but they shouldn’t hurt.

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