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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. 2 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: l l l l l 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. 3 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. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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