NIHS Clinic provides advanced Ultrasound Services as part of our comprehensive diagnostic imaging offerings. Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of the body’s internal structures. It is widely used for diagnostic purposes across various medical specialties due to its safety, accuracy, and versatility.

What is an Ultrasound? An ultrasound, also known as sonography, uses sound waves to produce images of organs, tissues, and blood flow inside the body. Unlike X-rays, ultrasound does not use radiation, making it a safe option for many patients, including pregnant women. A handheld device called a transducer is moved over the skin (or inserted into a body cavity) to send and receive sound waves, which are then converted into images by a computer.

Types of Ultrasound Services:

1. Abdominal Ultrasound:

   • Purpose: Visualizes organs within the abdomen, such as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, and bladder.

   • Uses: Detects gallstones, liver disease, kidney stones, tumors, and abdominal pain causes. Helps in assessing organ size, structure, and abnormalities.

2. Pelvic Ultrasound:

   • Purpose: Examines the organs in the pelvic region, including the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and prostate.

   • Uses: Diagnoses conditions like uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease, and prostate issues. Essential in prenatal care for monitoring fetal development.

3. Obstetric Ultrasound:

   • Purpose: Monitors the health and development of a fetus during pregnancy.

   • Uses: Assesses fetal growth, detects congenital abnormalities, determines gestational age, and evaluates the placenta and amniotic fluid levels. Includes early pregnancy scans, anomaly scans, and growth scans.

4. Vascular Ultrasound:

   • Purpose: Evaluates blood flow in arteries and veins throughout the body.

   • Uses: Detects blockages, blood clots (deep vein thrombosis), varicose veins, and aneurysms. Assists in diagnosing conditions like peripheral artery disease (PAD) and monitoring blood flow after surgery.

5. Thyroid Ultrasound:

   • Purpose: Examines the thyroid gland located in the neck.

   • Uses: Detects thyroid nodules, cysts, enlargement (goiter), and tumors. Helps in diagnosing thyroid disorders and guiding needle biopsies for thyroid conditions.

6. Breast Ultrasound:

   • Purpose: Provides detailed images of breast tissue.

   • Uses: Detects breast lumps, cysts, and tumors. Often used as a follow-up to abnormal mammograms or for women with dense breast tissue. Assists in guiding biopsies of suspicious areas.

7. Musculoskeletal Ultrasound:

   • Purpose: Visualizes muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and soft tissues.

   • Uses: Diagnoses injuries like sprains, tears, inflammation, and arthritis. Assesses conditions affecting joints and muscles, such as rotator cuff injuries, tendinitis, and bursitis.

8. Echocardiogram (Cardiac Ultrasound):

   • Purpose: Visualizes the heart’s structure and function.

   • Uses: Diagnoses heart conditions like valve disease, heart failure, and congenital heart defects. Evaluates the heart’s pumping ability and monitors the effects of treatments.

Preparation:

• General Preparation: Preparation depends on the type of ultrasound being performed.

  • Abdominal Ultrasound: You may need to fast for several hours to reduce gas in the intestines, which can obscure the images.

  • Pelvic Ultrasound: A full bladder is often required to provide clearer images of pelvic organs. You may be asked to drink water and avoid urinating before the procedure.

  • Other Types: Most ultrasounds, such as thyroid or vascular scans, require little to no special preparation.

Procedure Details:

• Process:

  • Preparation: You will be positioned on an examination table. A water-based gel is applied to the skin over the area being examined. This gel helps the transducer glide smoothly and improves sound wave transmission.

  • Imaging: The transducer is moved over the skin or inserted into a body cavity (as in transvaginal or transrectal ultrasounds) to capture images. The sonographer or radiologist may ask you to change positions or hold your breath to obtain better views.

  • Duration: The procedure typically lasts between 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the type and complexity of the ultrasound.

• Comfort: Ultrasound is generally painless. You might feel slight pressure as the transducer is moved over your skin or when a transducer is inserted for internal scans. Any discomfort is usually minimal and temporary.

Safety and Risks:

• Safety: Ultrasound is considered very safe because it does not use ionizing radiation. It is the preferred imaging method during pregnancy and for children. There are no known long-term side effects from ultrasound exposure.

• Risks: There are no significant risks associated with standard ultrasound procedures. Some patients may experience mild discomfort during certain types of internal ultrasounds.

Post-Procedure:

• Recovery: Ultrasound is non-invasive, and no recovery time is needed. You can return to your normal activities immediately after the procedure.

• Results: The images are analyzed by a radiologist, who will interpret the findings and provide a report to your healthcare provider. Results are typically available within a few hours to a few days.

• Follow-Up: Your healthcare provider will discuss the results with you and recommend further tests, treatments, or interventions based on the findings. In some cases, additional imaging or biopsies may be required for a definitive diagnosis.

Benefits:

• Non-Invasive and Safe: Ultrasound is a painless and radiation-free method for obtaining detailed images of internal structures.

• Real-Time Imaging: Allows for the visualization of organ function and blood flow in real-time, aiding in dynamic assessments and guided procedures.

• Versatile: Used across various medical fields, including cardiology, obstetrics, gynecology, gastroenterology, and vascular medicine.

• Affordable: Ultrasound is generally less expensive than other imaging modalities like CT or MRI, making it accessible for routine diagnostics.

For accurate and thorough diagnostic imaging, trust the Ultrasound Services at NIHS Clinic. Contact us today to schedule your appointment or to learn more about our cutting-edge ultrasound technology and services.