Diagnostic ultrasounds or sonograms are simple, painless, and noninvasive diagnostic imaging tests that use sound waves to produce high-quality images of internal organs and structures within your body. The images provide valuable information for detecting and directing treatment for various diseases and conditions.
Beverly Hills diagnostic ultrasound services provide state-of-the-art imaging technology that helps healthcare professionals in the diagnostic purpose of various medical conditions.
Ultrasound-Overview
Ultrasounds are efficient medical tests that are used as diagnostic tools for several medical conditions. These work on sound waves that are able to penetrate easily within the tissues in your body.
These are painless, and non-invasive in nature that provide valuable information about internal organs and structures through high-quality images. The probe or transducer enables the transfer of sound waves through tissues and projects images on the ultrasound monitors.
Types of diagnostic ultrasounds
There are 3 main types of ultrasound imaging depending on the purpose:
General diagnostic ultrasound
- These are routine scans that are performed by healthcare professionals.
- These scans help detect the cause of pain and other symptoms like swelling, or tenderness in any part of your body.
- Healthcare professionals can effectively view what goes on inside the internal organs and structures without the need for any incisions or cuts.
- Any pathological changes are confirmed through ultrasound scans to execute further treatment plans.
Pregnancy ultrasound
- A pregnancy ultrasound is also known as OB (obstetric) ultrasound, or prenatal ultrasound.
- These help monitor the fetus and the mother during pregnancy.
- Ultrasounds are safe during pregnancy since they do not use any radiation energy like X-rays.
- Healthcare professionals can detect any pregnancy complication at an early stage for a smooth pregnancy journey.
Ultrasound guidance for procedures
- Most often healthcare professionals use ultrasound technology to perform certain procedures without having to make any incisions. These are called ultrasound-guided procedures.
- This involves a needle insertion guided through ultrasound images to draw sample tissues or fluids from tendons, muscles, cysts, organs, and soft tissue masses.
- Ultrasounds can also confirm the placement of intrauterine devices (IUDs) post insertion, and assist in embryo transfer during IVF (in-vitro fertilization) treatment.
General indications of diagnostic ultrasound
Ultrasound is used for many reasons such as to:
- View the uterus and ovaries during pregnancy
- Monitor the developing baby’s health
- Check the blood flow
- Diagnose gallbladder diseases
- Examine a breast lump
- Assess joint inflammation
- Evaluate metabolic bone disease
- Guide a needle for biopsy
- Find genital and prostate problems
The need for a general diagnostic ultrasound depends on your doctor and your medical necessity. There are specially trained ultrasound technicians, and sonographers are able to operate an ultrasound machine properly and safely.
