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A USG (Ultrasound) scan visualises an internal organ or soft organ by using high-frequency sound waves. It is widely used in Obstetrics and Gynaecology to monitor the baby inside the mother's womb, diagnose a condition, and guide a surgeon during certain procedures.
Before the USG scan:
Certain USG scans require an individual to follow a few instructions to produce a better image output.
It is advised to drink water in order to visualise the pelvic or unborn baby.
Eating or drinking for a few hours should be avoided in certain cases.
During a USG scan:
Depending on which part of the body is scanned and the reason behind it, there are different USG scans.
External USG scan: The probe of an ultrasound machine is moved over the skin.
Internal USG scan: Visualisation is done by inserting the probe into the body.
Endoscopic USG scan: An endoscope (a thin, long tube) is attached to the probe and passed into the body.
After an ultrasound scan:
One can go home after getting the USG scan and carry out daily activities if sedatives have not been used, unlike an endoscopic USG scan.
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A transducer, or probe, is used to produce sound waves that travel through fluids and tissues. The sound waves are reflected back as an echo due to the dense tissues and structures. The echo is higher when the density of the organ is higher. These reflected sound waves produce real-time images that help in visualising blood flow and organs.
A radiologist is a specialised health care professional who carries out a USG scan. A cardiologist or gynaecologist also performs an Ultrasound scan for examination.
The following are the uses of an Ultrasound scan:
The foetus (baby in the mother's womb) is visualised to estimate the due date of delivery according to the baby's growth and can also be used to determine the gender of the baby.
Examination of muscles, bones, and joints, as well as other organs such as the heart or liver, can also be viewed.
It can also detect the presence of tumours.
Problems in the circulatory system can also be visualised.
There are no major risks or complications associated with USG scans.
Diagnostic imaging procedures that use X-rays, can expose patients to ionising radiation, but that is not the case with ultrasound.
There might be slight heating of the tissues, which can result in cavitation in tissues.
It is a very safe procedure when used diligently.
The duration for carrying out an ultrasound scan can vary depending on several factors, including the specific area of the body being examined, the complexity of the procedure, and the experience of the ultrasound technician (sonographer).
In general, most ultrasound scans typically take between 15 and 45 minutes to complete. However, more complex evaluations or scans of multiple areas may take longer. It's essential to follow any preparation instructions provided by your healthcare provider to ensure an efficient and accurate ultrasound examination.
Ultrasound scan reports can occasionally result in a misdiagnosis. Factors such as operator skill, technical limitations, interpretation errors, complexity of cases, and human error can contribute to inaccuracies. It's crucial to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider for further clarification and appropriate follow-up.
The diagnosis of a condition is not solely dependent on test results but is also clinically correlated. In Obstetrics and Gynaecological sonograms, accuracy is dependent on various factors, such as the following:
Gestational period: There are notable differences in the progression of pregnancy.
Operator skill: A calliper is used to get precise measurements.
Duration of the procedure: With less examination time, the accuracy also decreases.
An Ultrasound scan is not painful. It uses only sound waves to visualise the internal structures. There can be discomfort, depending on the type of USG scan. Even the internal USG scan is done with the help of sedatives, which eliminates the discomfort.
The ultrasound waves travel through soft tissues, and hence the visualisation of bones is not clear. The stomach or bowel cannot be visualised through ultrasound as they cannot travel through air.
Ultrasounds can visualise an abnormal mass, and the mass can or cannot be cancerous. A confirmatory diagnosis through biopsy or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can be done to rule out cancers.
In many cases, your healthcare provider will discuss the results of the ultrasound scan with you immediately after the procedure. However, for more complex evaluations, additional time may be needed to analyse the images, and you may receive the results at a later appointment.
Ultrasound scans are considered safe because they do not use radiation like X-rays or CT scans. The sound waves used in ultrasound are harmless and have been used for decades in medical imaging.