Ultrasound examination

What is an ultrasound scan?

Ultrasound is a fast, safe, largely side-effect-free and cost-effective examination method. It is professionally referred to as ultrasonography. With their help, a doctor can evaluate many different body regions and organs. The examination can be performed on an outpatient basis in a doctor's office or in clinics. A hospital stay is usually not necessary for this.

When do you do an ultrasound scan?

Sonography is used in medicine both for the diagnosis and follow-up of various diseases as well as for live monitoring of technically difficult procedures. Common areas of application include:

• examination of abdominal organs (abdominal ultrasound), e.g. kidneys
• Thyroid ultrasound
• Heart ultrasound (echocardiography)
• Ultrasound of the vessels, e.g. the carotid arteries or leg veins
• Ultrasonography of the female breast (mammary ultrasonography)
• gynecological ultrasound, e.g. to evaluate the uterus, ovaries and during pregnancy
• ultrasound of the joints, e.g. the hip joint

What is the process of an ultrasound examination?

Depending on which organs are to be assessed in practice, the ultrasound examination takes place sitting, standing or lying down (prone or lateral position).

First, a doctor coats the transducer and often the affected area of skin with an ultrasound gel so that uniform contact is established between the transducer and the body surface. The ultrasound device sends ultrasound waves into the tissue via the transducer. Patients don't feel anything about it. Depending on its structure, the ultrasound waves are reflected, i.e. reflected back, by the tissue.

The transducer picks up these reflected waves again and the ultrasound device can calculate an image from them. This is now shown to the doctor and patient on the monitor. The doctor often shows and explains the findings to the patient directly on the screen. The doctor can print out individual, particularly meaningful images directly on the ultrasound device.

What do I have to consider after an ultrasound scan?

After the examination, the doctor will give you a tissue to wipe off the ultrasound gel. If it has come into contact with your clothes, you don't have to worry: The gels commonly used today contain very water and usually do not leave any permanent stains on clothing. There are no special precautions regarding diet, driving or the like for the period after the ultrasound.