An Overview


Ultrasound scan is a safe and painless procedure of producing images of inside the body using sound waves. It involves the use of a small transducer (probe) and ultrasound gel placed directly on the skin. High-frequency sound waves are transmitted from the probe through the gel into the body. The transducer collects the sounds that bounce back and a computer then uses those sound waves to create an image. Ultrasound scan does not use radiation as opposed to X-rays, CT scans and MRI. It is also non-invasive. That means there is no need to do any form of open surgery in order to have a better visualization. It captures motion pictures in real-time, and hence, can be used to visualize the inside of the body and blood flow through vessels. Conventional ultrasounds displays its images in 2D. However, recent advancements have led to the production of 3D ultrasound that may incorporate Doppler. The latter helps in visualizing blood flow.

The ultrasound has various components: there is a console containing computer and electronics, a transducer or probe connected to the console through a cord and a visual display screen. The console is like the central processing unit of a computer, the probe is like a mouse and the visual display unit is the monitor; although they do not perform similar functions. These are the basic components. However, portable ultrasound machines can have console and monitor compressed into one.

Indications for Ultrasound

The ultrasound scan can be used for the heart and blood vessels, liver, spleen, kidneys, bladder, uterus, ovaries, unborn foetus, scrotum and thyroid. This list is, however, not exhaustive. Usually, the patient to be examined will be positioned lying face up. The examining table can be ti
lted to get a better exposure. The area to be examined is uncovered and a warm inert (non irritant) gel is applied on it. The transducer is subsequently maneuvered over it to visualize the structures underneath it. the gel is wiped off at the end of the examination. The probe can also be passed into the esophagus (in transesophageal echocardiogram), transrectally (to view the prostate) and transvaginally (to view the uterus).

Misinterpretation of Ultrasound Results in Nigeria

The importance of the ultrasound in diagnostic medicine cannot be overemphasized. It has come a long way in aiding the physician to make a better informed diagnosis...

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