Ultrasonography

Ultrasonography is an imaging method using high-frequency sound waves that the human ear cannot hear. X-rays are not used in ultrasonography. Therefore, it can be easily used in pregnant women and infants. The sound waves sent from the device are perceived by the same device after being reflected from the organs in the patient’s body. Reflection differences vary from organ to organ. Therefore, structures with different reflections give different images. The US procedure is performed by radiologists who receive US training during their specialisation.

Ultrasonography is mostly used to visualise intra-abdominal organs such as liver, gall bladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, bladder, ovaries and uterus. However, with the advancement of technology and the increase in the image possibilities of the devices, ultrasonography can be used to visualise all organs of the body (such as brain, eye, lung, breast, hip, testis, thyroid, soft tissue masses and prostate. In addition, the ovaries and uterus in women can be examined through the abdomen or by using a special probe inserted into the vagina. The rectum in women and men and the prostate in men can be examined through the abdomen or by using a special probe inserted into the anus. Ultrasound is also considered an effective method in the evaluation of the foetus.

The process of visualising the body with high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) is called ultrasonography. Ultrasound imaging is the most harmless imaging procedure because it does not emit radiation like other imaging procedures. In this way, pregnant women do not hesitate to have ultrasound during pregnancy follow-up with peace of mind because they know that their babies will not be harmed.

Radiology specialists evaluate the notes they take while performing ultrasonography and make a report of all normal and pathological results they see. The ultrasound device consists of two parts in total. One of these parts is the probe in contact with the skin and the other is the processing unit in which the image obtained is converted by sound waves and reflected on the screen. Before contacting the probe with the area to be imaged, it should be covered with a special gel to ensure clear transmission of sound waves. This process takes an average of 15-30 minutes and the images obtained are reflected on the monitor and checked by the radiology specialist. The more experience and success of the radiology specialist, the better the medical interpretation of the images obtained will be.

USAGE AREAS OF ULTRASONOGRAPHY

Ultrasonography is one of the most widely used imaging techniques in the field of medicine, developed to diagnose diseases related to these regions and to observe changes and developments by visualising parts of the body that cannot be seen by the eye and cannot be accessed by endoscopy.

Ultrasonography offers diagnosis and treatment in many areas, especially organs in the abdominal cavity, breast screening and pregnancy follow-up. The main areas where ultrasound is used can be stated as follows: Scans to examine the health of the baby during pregnancy, detection of possible disruptions in the working order in the heart, examination of data on various infections occurring in the body, visualisation of stones in the gallbladder, detection of tumours in the breast and soft tissues, scans to examine muscle diseases, investigation of all kinds of diseases occurring in the prostate and genital area, providing detailed imaging from needle interventions during biopsy of problematic areas, detection of diseases of the thyroid gland are the main areas where ultrasonography is used.

TYPES OF ULTRASONOGRAPHY

Ultrasonography can be performed in different types according to the types of the disease. Ultrasonography types can be listed as follows: Abdominal Ultrasound, Pelvic Ultrasound, Transvaginal Ultrasound, Breast Ultrasound, Echocardiography (ECHO), Thyroid Ultrasound, Transrectal Ultrasound, Colour Doppler Ultrasound

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE HAVING AN ULTRASOUND

• For ultrasonography examination of the abdominal organs, the patient should fast for 5 – 12 hours in adults.
• In children under 10 years of age, 4 hours of fasting is sufficient and 6 hours of fasting is sufficient for children up to 10 years of age.
• If the examination of the bladder, ovaries and uterus is to be performed through the abdomen, the patient must be urinary (full bladder).

HOW IS ULTRASOUND PERFORMED?

The patient lies on his/her back. Gel is applied on the skin. The organs in the abdomen are examined through the skin with the device called “probe”. To date, there are no side effects that can be shown in pregnancy and other examinations.