Abdominal Ultrasound
Ultrasound imaging of the abdomen is used extensively for evaluating the kidneys, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen and blood vessels in the abdomen. It is also used to guide procedures such as needle biopsies and aspirations of abdominal organs. Abdominal ultrasound can help determine the cause of abdominal pain, such as stones in the gallbladder or kidney, or an inflamed appendix. It can  also help identify the cause for the enlargement of an abdominal organ, and detect the growth of tumours within the abdomen.
PHOTO: Normal upper abdominal ultrasound showing pancreas, liver, gall bladder and kidneys
Pelvic Ultrasound
For women, pelvic ultrasound is most often used to examine the uterus and ovaries, and during pregnancy, to monitor the health and development of the embryo or foetus. In males, a pelvic ultrasound usually focuses on the bladder and the prostate gland.
For females, pelvic ultrasound examinations can help determine the causes of pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, or other menstrual problems. Ultrasound images can also help to identify and assess cysts and fibroid growths as well as ovarian or uterine cancers. Other indications include evaluation of the uterine cavity looking for birth anomalies or scars. Female pelvic ultrasound is also used to monitor and assess the development of follicles in patients undergoing fertility treatment.
Sometimes the radiologist may determine that a transvaginal scan needs to be performed. Instead of a transducer being moved across the abdomen, the high-frequency waves are emitted by a probe (endovaginal transducer) placed in the vagina. This technique often provides improved images of the uterus and ovaries, and can be especially useful in early pregnancy.
For males, pelvic ultrasound is a valuable tool for evaluating the prostate gland, as well as the tubes that carry semen.
In both sexes, pelvic ultrasound can help to identify tumours and other disorders in the urinary bladder. The pelvis houses some of the largest blood vessels in the body, and ultrasound can be used to evaluate blood flow in these vessels.
Vascular Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a useful modality for evaluating the body’s circulatory system. Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time they can help radiologists monitor the blood flow to organs and tissues throughout the body, as well as evaluate the placement and success of repair, such as arterial bypass surgery. With ultrasound images, radiologists can locate obstructions (stenoses) and abnormalities such as blood clots, plaque or emboli. With the knowledge about the arterial blood flow gained from an ultrasound, the radiologist can often determine whether a patient is a good candidate for a procedure such as angioplasty.
Ultrasound of the vascular system also provides a fast, non-invasive means of identifying blockages of blood flow to the brain that might produce a stroke or mini-stroke.
PHOTO: Doppler ultrasound showing the
blood flow through the carotid arteries
When a blood clot develops inside a vein, ultrasound can show the clot and also the slowing down or complete block of blood flow that it causes. The most common reason for a venous ultrasound is to detect such clots, especially in the veins of the leg. These clots may break off and pass into the lungs where there can cause a dangerous condition called pulmonary embolism. If detected in time, treatment can prevent this from happening.
Other indications for a venous ultrasound study include finding the cause of long-standing leg swelling. Venous ultrasound may help a surgeon decide how best to deal with patients with varicose veins. It can also map out the veins in the leg or arm so that segments may be removed and used to bypass an area of disease.
Venous ultrasound is non-invasive very often eliminates the need for venography, which requires the injection of contrast material into a vein to detect a clot. |
 Ultrasound'))
 Ultrasound'))
)
)
)
)