Ultrasound

Best Ultrasound/Sonography Centre in Raipur, Chhattisgarh

Ultrasound imaging, including Ultrasound Scan in Raipur, uses sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. It is used to help diagnose the causes of pain, swelling and infection in the body’s internal organs and to examine a baby in pregnant women and the brain and hips in infants. It’s also used to help guide biopsies, diagnose heart conditions, and assess damage after a heart attack. Ultrasound is safe, noninvasive, and does not use ionizing radiation.

This procedure requires little to no special preparation. Your doctor will instruct you on how to prepare, including whether you should refrain from eating or drinking beforehand. Leave jewelry at home and wear loose, comfortable clothing. You may be asked to wear a gown.

Ultrasound is safe and painless, and produces pictures of the inside of the body using sound waves. Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning or sonography, involves the use of a small transducer (probe) and ultrasound gel placed directly on the skin. High-frequency sound waves are transmitted from the probe through the gel into the body. The transducer collects the sounds that bounce back and a computer then uses those sound waves to create an image. Ultrasound examinations do not use ionizing radiation (as used in x-rays), thus there is no radiation exposure to the patient. Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can show the structure and movement of the body's internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels.

Ultrasound imaging is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.

Conventional ultrasound displays the images in thin, flat sections of the body. Advancements in ultrasound technology include three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound that formats the sound wave data into 3-D images.

A Doppler ultrasound study may be part of an ultrasound examination.

Doppler ultrasound is a special ultrasound technique that allows the physician to see and evaluate blood flow through arteries and veins in the abdomen, arms, legs, neck and/or brain (in infants and children) or within various body organs such as the liver or kidneys.

There are three types of Doppler ultrasound:

•  Color Doppler uses a computer to convert Doppler measurements into an array of colors to show the speed and direction of blood flow through a blood vessel.
•  Power Doppler is a newer technique that is more sensitive than color Doppler and capable of providing greater detail of blood flow, especially when blood flow is little or minimal. Power Doppler, however, does not help the radiologist determine the direction of blood flow, which may be important in some situations.
•  Spectral Doppler displays blood flow measurements graphically, in terms of the distance traveled per unit of time, rather than as a color picture. It can also convert blood flow information into a distinctive sound that can be heard with every heartbeat.

How Does Ultrasound Work?

During an ultrasound, a healthcare professional uses a device called a transducer or probe, which is moved over the surface of your body or inserted into a body opening. To facilitate this process, they apply a thin layer of gel on your skin, allowing the ultrasound waves to pass from the transducer through the gel and into your body.

The probe transforms electrical energy into high-frequency sound waves, sending them into your body’s tissues, which are inaudible to you.

These sound waves reflect off the structures within your body and return to the probe, which then converts them back into electrical signals. A computer processes these electrical signals, generating real-time images or videos that are displayed on a nearby computer screen.

Types of Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a versatile imaging technique used in various medical fields. Here are the main types of ultrasound:

• 2D Ultrasound: This is the most common form, producing flat, two-dimensional images of the organs and structures inside the body. It's widely used in prenatal imaging to monitor fetal development.
• 3D Ultrasound: This type provides three-dimensional images by capturing multiple 2D images and compiling them. It is often used in obstetrics to give a more detailed view of the fetus.
• 4D Ultrasound: It is similar to 3D ultrasound, but it adds the element of time, allowing for real-time visualization of the fetus’s movements. This type is often used for more interactive experiences during pregnancy.
• Doppler Ultrasound: This technique measures the flow of blood through vessels, helping to assess conditions related to blood flow, such as blockages or abnormalities in the heart and blood vessels.
• Transvaginal Ultrasound: A specialized type where a probe is inserted into the vagina to provide close-up images of the uterus, ovaries, and surrounding tissues. It is commonly used in gynecology and early pregnancy assessments.
• Transrectal Ultrasound: This procedure is similar to transvaginal ultrasound, but the probe is inserted into the rectum. It is often used to evaluate prostate conditions.
• Abdominal Ultrasound: This type focuses on the organs in the abdomen, such as the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, and pancreas, to diagnose conditions like gallstones, kidney stones, and liver diseases.
• Pelvic Ultrasound: This is specifically used to evaluate the female reproductive organs, including the uterus and ovaries, to diagnose conditions like ovarian cysts or fibroids.
• Musculoskeletal Ultrasound: Used to examine muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints, helping to diagnose conditions such as tears or inflammation.

What conditions can be detected by ultrasound?

• Ultrasound can help healthcare providers in diagnosing various medical conditions, including:
• Abnormal growths, like tumors or cancer
• Blood clots
• An enlarged spleen
• Ectopic pregnancy (when a fertilized egg attaches outside the uterus)
• Gallstones
• Aortic aneurysm
• Stones in the kidneys or bladder
• Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
• Varicocele (enlarged veins in the testicles)