Download Ultrasound - Northumbria NHS Trust

Northumbria Healthcare
NHS Foundation Trust
Ultrasound
Issued by Radiology Department
Your ultrasound appointment
Once you have received your appointment, please telephone
0191 293 2541 if you cannot attend.
If you need an ambulance you will need to arrange this with your
own GP surgery as soon as possible.
What is an ultrasound scan?
An ultrasound scan is a method of generating images of part of the
body using high frequency sound waves which cannot be heard by
the human ear.
An ultrasound image of the part of your body being examined is
obtained from a small hand-held probe which is placed against your
skin. A harmless gel is first placed on your skin, which allows
transmission of sound waves into the body.
The ultrasound probe is moved across the skin surface and
generates sound waves. It also detects any echoes reflected from
tissues within the body and then produces an image, which is
displayed on a TV monitor in ‘real time’.
Ultrasound scans can image many parts of the human body, and it
is a straightforward and safe clinical investigation. It is often the first
medical imaging technique to be used, but it may be complemented
by other forms of imaging, such as CT, MRI or X-ray.
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What can be scanned by ultrasound?
Ultrasound can be used in many situations, and ultrasound signals
can help to detect the size, shape and consistency of organs,
structures and abnormalities. It is often used in the following
situations:
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To help to monitor the growth of an unborn child, and to check for
abnormalities. (Ultrasound scans are routinely used throughout
pregnancy).
To detect abnormalities of heart structures such as the heart
valves. (This is called an echocardiogram.)
To help to diagnose problems of the liver, gallbladder (such as
gallstones), pancreas, thyroid gland, lymph nodes, ovaries,
testes, kidneys, bladder and breast.
To detect abnormal widening of blood vessels (aneurysms).
To assess problems related to joints, muscles and tendons.
Ultrasound waves cannot pass through very dense structures or
gases. They are therefore not effective for imaging bones, and the
images can be of poor quality in people who are overweight or if
there is a lot of gas in the bowel. This is why you may be asked
to avoid carbonated drinks and not to eat before undergoing
an ultrasound scan.
How long will the ultrasound examination take?
Most examinations take approximately 20 minutes. More
specialised scans can take longer.
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Are there any side effects or risks?
There are no known risks and ultrasound scans are considered to
be very safe, as they use harmless sound waves.
Benefits of an ultrasound scan.
It may be possible to diagnose your problem quickly or refer you for
other tests if necessary.
Who will be doing the ultrasound scan?
The examination will be performed by a Consultant Radiologist or a
Sonographer Advanced Practitioner. Sonographers are health care
professionals who have undertaken specialist training in the
technique of ultrasound scanning, diagnosing and reporting.
Is there anything I need to do?
Some preparation may be required if your pelvis, kidney or bladder
are to be scanned, you may be required to ensure that your bladder
is full before the examination can begin. For some examinations
such as of the gall bladder and pancreas, you may be required not
to eat or drink for a specified number of hours. If so, this will be
explained in your appointment letter.
What does it involve?
If you have been asked to attend with a full bladder for your scan,
and your bladder is not completely full, you may be asked to drink
some water or to make a new appointment for a scan with a full
bladder.
The room will be dimly lit to allow the Radiologist / Sonographer to
view your scan on the ultrasound TV monitor.
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You will be taken into the ultrasound room and will normally be
asked to adjust your clothing around the area being examined.
If the examination is of an intimate nature you may be asked to sign
a consent form after the procedure has been explained to you by
the Radiologist or Sonographer.
Some gel will be placed on the part of the body to be examined and
the ultrasound probe is placed in contact with the body and gently
moved over the surface to study the tissues below. The scan is
painless, although you may feel some pressure as the probe is
applied to get a better view. After the examination, the gel can be
wiped off the skin.
You may be asked to change position during the scan to allow the
area to be looked at from different angles.
If you are having an abdominal scan, you will be asked to take
deep breaths and then to hold your breath for a few moments.
If you are having a scan to assess blood flow through one of your
blood vessels, you will hear a whooshing sound caused by a
function of the ultrasound equipment known as Doppler - this is
perfectly normal and you need not be concerned.
Will it be uncomfortable?
An ultrasound scan itself does not produce discomfort and apart
from the sensation on your skin you will not feel anything. If a full
bladder is required, though, there may be some associated
discomfort. Occasionally it may be necessary to apply some
pressure to the skin surface over an inflamed organ, for example,
the gallbladder, to check what is causing the pain. This may
increase the amount of pain coming from that organ temporarily.
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Can you eat and drink afterwards?
Yes, if you have no further tests scheduled for the same day –
please check first.
When do I get my results?
Your results are sent to the doctor who referred you for the
examination.
If this is your GP, please make an appointment at the GP surgery in
approximately 7-10 days.
If you have been referred by a hospital Consultant or specialist
clinic you will receive a follow-up appointment.
Chaperones
The role of the chaperone is to ensure that the privacy, dignity and
interests of the patients are supported and protected at all times
during the consultation, examination, treatment or delivery of care.
All patients and staff have the right to request a chaperone.
For patients, a chaperone will usually be any trusted adult who they
ask to be present during a consultation, examination or when care
and treatment are being delivered. In the case of patients who are
under the age of 16, this is usually an adult with parental
responsibility.
Occasionally the member of staff carrying out the examination may
decide that the patient’s chaperone should not be present if it is felt
that it is in the patient’s interests. If this occurs, the member of staff
will give you an explanation as to why.
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Please be aware that it may not always be possible to provide a
staff member as a chaperone outside of normal working hours.
Contact numbers
For X-ray appointments telephone 0191 2932541
Monday to Friday 9.00am – 7.00pm
Saturday and Sunday 9.00am -12 noon
7
PIN 553/V2
Review date: August 2018