What is ultrasound?
Ultrasound (an ultrasound exam, sonography) is an imaging method that uses harmless high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the internal organs and tissues in real time. The probe the doctor holds against the skin sends waves into the body; they reflect off the organs and return, and the device builds an image on the screen from these echoes.
Unlike X-ray and CT, ultrasound does not use radiation, so it is completely safe and can be repeated as often as needed — which is why it is the method of choice in pregnancy and in children. The exam is painless, without needles, and the doctor sees and interprets the image at the very moment they move the probe.
With ultrasound the abdominal organs (liver, gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas, spleen), the thyroid, the breasts, soft tissues, lymph nodes, muscles and joints are examined, as well as many other regions. To assess blood flow a special type of ultrasound is used — the color Doppler.
At Medical Time ultrasound is performed with a modern high-resolution device, and the exam is done and interpreted by an experienced specialist, so that you quickly get an accurate assessment of the state of the organs and clear recommendations.
When is ultrasound performed? Indications
Ultrasound is used both for specific complaints and as a regular, preventive exam, because painlessly and without risk it provides a view of a large number of organs. Which region is examined depends on your complaints and the doctor's assessment.
The most common indications for which the exam is done are:
As a general rule, abdominal pain, a lump or complaints that may originate from the internal organs warrant an ultrasound — because this is how changes are detected early, painlessly and without radiation.
- pain, bloating or discomfort in the abdomen and digestive complaints
- suspicion of a stone in the gallbladder or kidney and urination complaints
- a check-up of the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas and spleen
- an enlarged or irregular thyroid and nodules in the neck
- a lump or change in the breast and regular breast check-ups
- swelling, a lump or pain in soft tissues, muscles and joints
- enlarged lymph nodes of unclear cause
- regular preventive and routine check-ups
Preparing for ultrasound
Whether preparation is needed depends on which organ is being examined. For an ultrasound of the thyroid, breasts, soft tissues, muscles and joints no preparation is needed — you come ready, you eat and drink normally.
For an ultrasound of the upper abdomen (liver, gallbladder, pancreas) it is usually necessary to be fasting for 6 to 8 hours, so that the gallbladder is full and the exam clear. For an ultrasound of the bladder and pelvis you are often asked to come with a full bladder, drinking water before the exam. You will receive exact instructions at scheduling, depending on what is being examined.
What it is good to keep in mind before the exam:
- for an abdominal ultrasound it is most often necessary to be fasting for 6 to 8 hours — we will confirm at scheduling
- for an ultrasound of the bladder and pelvis it is sometimes necessary to come with a full bladder
- for an ultrasound of the thyroid, breasts and soft tissues no preparation is needed
- wear clothing that is easy to remove or roll up from the region being examined
- bring earlier ultrasound and other findings if you have them, for comparison
What ultrasound is like — the course of the exam
The exam is performed lying down, on the back or side, depending on the organ being examined. The doctor applies a transparent gel to the skin over the region, which improves the transmission of sound waves and removes air between the probe and the skin, and then gently moves the probe over the body.
On the screen the image of the organ is shown at the same time, which the doctor interprets immediately — assessing the size, shape and structure of the organ, the presence of stones, cysts, nodules or other changes. If needed they will ask you to breathe in deeply, hold your breath or change position, in order to better see certain parts.
The exam is completely painless; the only sensation is the coolness of the gel and a slight pressure of the probe. During an abdominal exam the doctor sometimes presses the probe a little harder to better show the organs, but even that does not cause pain.
Ultrasound most often lasts between 10 and 30 minutes, depending on which regions are examined. Upon completion you wipe off the gel and immediately return to your usual activities, without any recovery.
When you get the findings and interpretation
Ultrasound is interpreted during the exam itself, so the doctor can tell you the main conclusions right after it is finished. You receive the written findings with a description of the examined organs, the changes noticed and recommendations shortly after the exam.
The findings state the size and appearance of the organ, the presence of stones, cysts, nodules or other changes and their assessment. Based on this the doctor recommends further steps — a check-up, therapy or, if needed, additional investigations such as laboratory tests, an X-ray, a CT or a targeted biopsy.
All findings and images are stored digitally, so that every subsequent ultrasound can be compared with the previous one and you can track whether any change has occurred. If needed, we immediately schedule further exams and consultations in the same place.
Why have your ultrasound at Medical Time
The quality of an ultrasound depends both on the device and on the experience of the doctor, because the exam is interpreted in real time while the probe is moved. At Medical Time the exam is done by an experienced specialist with a modern high-resolution device, so that you get a reliable and clearly explained assessment.
Everything you might need after an ultrasound — laboratory tests, additional diagnostics or a specialist exam — is available in one place, with a quick appointment and a warm approach.
- a painless exam without radiation and without needles, which can be repeated
- a modern high-resolution ultrasound device
- the exam is done and interpreted by an experienced specialist, with clear recommendations
- an exam of the abdominal organs, thyroid, breasts, soft tissues and other regions
- interpretation right away during the exam and written findings in a short time
- quick scheduling without waiting
- everything in one place — diagnostics, laboratory and further treatment
- digital storage of findings and images for tracking over time
Cost
The cost of an ultrasound depends on which organ or region is examined (for example the abdomen, thyroid, breasts or soft tissues) and how many regions are covered. See the diagnostics prices in the price list, and for an exact offer and an appointment call us.
- Ultrasound of the abdomen
- Ultrasound of the thyroid
- Ultrasound of the breasts or soft tissues
For an appointment call 062-399-888.
Frequently asked questions about ultrasound
No. Ultrasound is completely painless — the doctor only moves the probe over skin coated with gel. The only sensation is the coolness of the gel and a slight pressure of the probe, without needles and without radiation.
No. Ultrasound uses harmless sound waves, without any radiation, so it is completely safe and can be repeated as often as needed. That is why it is the method of choice in pregnancy and in children.
It depends on what is being examined. For an abdominal ultrasound it is most often necessary to be fasting for 6 to 8 hours, while for an ultrasound of the thyroid, breasts and soft tissues no preparation is needed. You receive exact instructions at scheduling.
Ultrasound most often lasts 10 to 30 minutes, depending on which regions are examined. After the exam you return to your usual activities immediately, without recovery.
With ultrasound the abdominal organs (liver, gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas, spleen), the thyroid, the breasts, soft tissues, lymph nodes, muscles and joints are examined, as well as many other regions.
Classic ultrasound shows the image of organs and tissues, while the color Doppler additionally shows blood flow through the blood vessels in color. That is why a color Doppler is done to assess the blood vessels.
The doctor tells you the main conclusions during the exam itself, and you receive the written findings with recommendations in a short time. All findings and images are stored digitally for comparison with later exams.