How an Ultra-sound is performed?

Before your scan

What do you bring?

• Your request form
• Any relevant previous imaging

 The day of your procedure

For Abdomen and Renal scans, a 6 hour fast is required.  For Renal and Pelvis scans, drink one litre of water one hour prior to your appointment time and refrain from emptying your bladder. You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding your health status, medication, and any known allergies. You will be asked to remove jewellery and change into an examination gown for your scan.

Procedure

You will be made comfortable on the examination table and asked to uncover the area being examined.

Gel will be applied to the area being imaged to help create a good contact between you and the ultrasound probe. The probe will be placed directly onto the gel and your skin for the duration of the examination. The sonographer will move the probe around on your skin at different angles to obtain images.

Your ultrasound will be performed by a Radiologist (medical specialist) or a sonographer (a specially trained technologist). Because the examiner is interpreting moving images on a screen a high degree of concentration is required. Pelvic female scans may require a transvaginal approach.  A special probe is covered with either a latex or non-latex band. Sterile gel is applied. The probe is sterilised between patients’ use. A consent form will need to be granted by the patient prior to the transvaginal scan.

Ultrasound examinations are not painful and generally not invasive but may be uncomfortable particularly if you need to move a body part that causes you discomfort.

Most ultrasound examinations will be completed within 30 minutes. It is not unusual for the radiologist to come in and speak with you and view the images on the screen. At the end of the procedure the gel is simply wiped from your skin so that it does not mark your clothes.