What is General Ultrasound? General Ultrasound in London

General ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to visualise the body's internal organs. Medstar compiled methods of general ultrasound in London and common questions related to it for you.

Using a probe, the ultrasound device sends high-frequency sound waves to a specific part of your body. The sound waves pass through the tissues and return by hitting the organs. 

The ultrasound device detects the reflected sound waves and converts them into images. Physicians can view images of the organs being examined and their functioning status. 

One of the important advantages of general ultrasound is that it can obtain detailed images of the organs without harming the patient. The fact that ultrasound is cheaper and more accessible than other imaging methods is also among its key advantages.

What Can an Ultrasound Detect?

Ultrasounds can detect many different pathologies and abnormalities. Ultrasound can detect changes in the size, structure, and shape of organs such as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, and spleen. It can also visualise cysts, tumours, stones, and organ deposits. 

When ultrasound is used in pregnancy follow-up, it can help determine the age of the foetus, heartbeat, foetal anomalies, and placenta position. It can also detect blockages and narrowing of blood vessels. It is commonly used to detect deep vein thrombosis, especially in the legs. 

Furthermore, ultrasound is useful in determining the size of the thyroid gland and the number of nodules, cysts, and deposits in it. Breast ultrasounds can help detect breast cancer and cysts.

What are the Types of Ultrasound?

Ultrasonography, as one of the medical imaging methods, creates images of the body's internal structure and organs using high-frequency sound waves. 

The ultrasound technique is based on the permeability of areas within the body to different tissues and environments. Ultrasound types include transvaginal, abdominal, vascular, transesophageal, and transrectal ultrasounds.

Abdominal ultrasound is used to visualise organs in the abdomen. A probe is placed on the patient's abdominal wall, and ultrasound waves are sent to the organs. 

The reflected ultrasound waves produce images showing the shape and position of internal organs such as the liver, spleen, kidneys, pancreas, and gallbladder. 

Transvaginal ultrasound visualises the organs of the female reproductive system, including the uterus and ovaries. Vascular ultrasound allows for blood circulation and blood flow velocity assessment while visualising the vessels. 

Transoesophageal ultrasound is used to visualise the heart and surrounding tissues. Transrectal ultrasound allows visualisation of the prostate and surrounding tissues. 

In many cases, the images obtained with the ultrasound technique guide the diagnosis and determination of treatment options. 

Can an Ultrasound Detect Cancer?

Ultrasonography is one of the most common diagnostic methods used to detect cancerous tissues. It detects cancer because cancerous tissues show different ultrasonographic characteristics than normal tissues. 

Cancerous tissues are harder than normal tissues and reflect ultrasound waves more. In ultrasound images, cancerous areas have more distinct borders and irregular shapes than normal tissues.

Therefore, ultrasonography is widely used in cancer screening organs such as the breast, prostate, liver, thyroid, testis, and pancreas. 

• Ultrasonographic breast screening is a common screening method for breast cancer detection and is recommended for women at high risk of breast cancer. 

• An ultrasound-guided prostate needle biopsy can be performed to detect prostate cancer. 

• Ultrasonographic liver screening is used to detect liver tumours such as hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. 

When ultrasonography is used for cancer screening, it can reveal the presence of cancer and contribute to the early diagnosis of the disease thanks to the different ultrasonographic features between normal and cancerous tissues. 

Early diagnosis is of great importance for the successful treatment of cancer. Also, general ultrasonography is a low-cost and non-risk imaging method.

Is Ultrasound Harmful?

Ultrasonography is a safe diagnostic method using high-frequency sound waves. Ultrasound waves have frequencies higher than 20,000 Hz, beyond the sound frequencies audible to the human ear.

Ultrasonic sound waves create echoes when introduced into the human body, allowing visualisation of internal organs and tissues.

Ultrasonic sound energy used in ultrasound imaging does not cause heat generation in the body, and low heat generation ensures the high reliability of ultrasound. Many studies have shown that ultrasound has no harmful effects on the human body. 

The low-density energy of ultrasound waves makes them harmless to the human body. Although concerns have been expressed about the possible harmful effects of ultrasound, there is evidence that ultrasound is safe when used correctly and in moderation.

One of the most common concerns about the use of ultrasound is that it may cause heat production and related neurodevelopmental damage to the foetus. Studies have shown that if ultrasound is used cautiously and heat generation is minimised, the foetus has no harmful effects.

In this regard, general ultrasound is a very safe diagnostic method when used sparingly and carefully by specialised doctors in the field of ultrasound application. 

What to Do Before the Ultrasound?

Knowing what to do before an ultrasound helps patients be more comfortable with the process. Ultrasound examination is a safe method that allows doctors to look at the internal organs and tissues of the body. 

The ultrasound device emits high-frequency sound waves to detect echoes in the body and convert them into images. Doctors can see problems in the patient's abdomen, heart, or other organs through these images.

The most important preparation for the ultrasound is to fast for at least 6–8 hours before the examination. Eating and drinking can make ultrasound imaging more difficult. 

To avoid feeling uncomfortable during the ultrasound, the bladder should not be full, so you should go to the toilet before the ultrasound.

Appropriate clothes should be worn for an ultrasound. Usually, special clothes given by hospital staff are worn. If patients will wear their clothes, comfortable and loose clothes should be preferred. 

Tight clothes may prevent ultrasound imaging. Clothes containing metal, jewellery, and buttons should be removed, as this may prevent the passage of ultrasound waves.

During the ultrasound examination, the patient should not move in the position given by the doctor about the area to be examined. 

While moving reduces image quality, patients must eliminate air gaps between the ultrasound probe and the body by applying conductive substances such as gel. There is no pain sensation during ultrasound; only slight pressure and friction can be felt.

Common Ultrasound Terminology

Ultrasonography is a medical imaging technique that allows for the visualisation of organs and tissues inside the body using sound waves. 

High-frequency sound waves produced by the ultrasound device are sent deep into the body, transformed into echoes reflected from the tissues, and detected by the ultrasound device. 

Simultaneously, an image shows the progression of sound waves in the body and their reflection from the tissues. There are some terms frequently used in ultrasonography. 

The scale is related to the frequency of the applied ultrasound wave. Low-scale ultrasound visualises deep tissues, while high-scale ultrasound is more successful at visualising superficial structures. As the scale is increased, resolution decreases and penetration depth increases. 

Where Can I Get a General Ultrasound Done in London?

The best place to have a general ultrasound in London is Medstar London Health Clinic. Medstar is a private healthcare service provider with two different branches in London. 

Ultrasound is a non-invasive medical health screening method that uses high-frequency sound waves to visualise organs, blood vessels, and tissues within the body.

At Medstar London Private Health Clinic, ultrasonography is performed by experienced radiologists. Ultrasound findings are immediately evaluated and reported by the radiologist. 

After the ultrasonography procedure, the radiologist will share the findings with you and explain any abnormalities. You must book an appointment for ultrasonography at Medstar London. 

Your ultrasonography procedure will be completed on the day of the appointment with our expert doctors. You can get fast and reliable health services from Medstar London Best Health Clinic. 

Medstar Health Clinic offers a wide range of health services in London and has various departments, such as neurology, cardiology, gynaecology, and urology. Our clinic also offers services related to paediatrics and obstetrics. 

To have a generic ultrasonography procedure in London, you can contact us or make an appointment online through our website or via the Medstar app. 

By downloading the Medstar app on the Google Play Store or App Store, you can also get your results and prescriptions. Choose Medstar for your health today and benefit from extended care!

#wellnessandpreventivecare