An ultrasound scan is a modern, unintrusive and valuable tool used to produce images of internal organs and soft body tissues, thereby giving doctors the ability to diagnose a wide variety of conditions.
The GP Surgery offers affordable private ultrasound scans performed by a senior ultrasonographer or consultant radiologist.at Wimbledon, Putney and Fulham.
What is an ultrasound scan?
An ultrasound scan is a painless procedure using high-frequency sound waves to capture images of organs and other body structures. Also called sonography, ultrasound images are usually taken from outside your body, but some are taken with devices inserted inside the body.
While foetal imaging during pregnancy is one of the most common uses of ultrasound scans, this diagnostic tool offers various other applications.
An ultrasound scan allows your doctor to detect any problems with organs, blood vessels and soft body tissue. These scans are generally painless and do not require needles, injections, or incisions.
How is an ultrasound scan performed?
An ultrasound transducer (also called a probe) is coated with lubricating gel and placed on your skin over the part of the body that is being examined.
The transducer sends high-frequency sound waves into the body. It then records the echoes as the sound waves bounce back to determine the size, shape and consistency of soft tissues and organs.
This information is relayed in real time to produce images of the underlying internal organs, muscles or bones on a computer screen.
What are the risks?
Unlike X-rays or CT scans that use radiation, ultrasound creates images of the inside of the body through high-frequency sound waves.
This makes it the preferred method for examining a developing foetus during pregnancy without posing any harmful effects.
Why have an ultrasound scan?
Ultrasound scans are commonly used to confirm and date a pregnancy, providing an expectant mother with the first view of her unborn child.
Your doctor will also order an ultrasound if you’re experiencing pain, swelling or other symptoms that require an internal view of your organs.
An ultrasound may be used to examine your:
- bladder
- heart
- joints
- gallbladder
- kidneys
- liver
- ovaries
- pancreas
- spleen
- neck
- testicles
- uterus
- blood vessels
Private Ultrasound scan in London:
Preparation
Certain types of ultrasound scans may need you to follow specific instructions to improve the image quality of the scan.
- Drink plenty of water and do not empty your bladder until after your scan: This may be necessary before an antenatal scan or gynaecological pelvic scan.
- Avoid eating for eight hours before your scan, but drink plenty of clear fluids and do not empty your bladder until after the scan: This may be necessary before an abdominal scan checking your liver and gallbladder.
Your doctor will inform you if any of these are applicable to you.
How the different types of scans are performed
External ultrasound scan
An external ultrasound scan is used to examine the liver, kidneys and other organs in your abdomen. It can also be used to assess your muscles and joints, as well as other organs, via the sound waves through your skin.
A lubricating gel is put on your skin and a small handheld probe is moved over your skin to assess the underlying structures. You should not feel anything other than the sensor and gel on your skin.
Internal or transvaginal ultrasound scan
A transvaginal ultrasound scan allows our ultrasonographer to examine female reproductive organs, such as the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix and vagina. “Transvaginal” means “through the vagina” as this is an internal examination.
Reasons for a transvaginal ultrasound, include:
- An abnormal pelvic or abdominal exam;
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding;
- Pelvic pain;
- An ectopic pregnancy which occurs when the foetus implants outside of the uterus – usually in the fallopian tubes;
- Infertility;
- A check for cysts or uterine fibroids; and
- To verify that an IUD has been properly placed.
During the procedure, you will be asked to lie on your back. A small probe (transducer) will be passed about two to three inches into the vaginal canal while the images are transmitted to a monitor.
These internal examinations are ideal for examining a patient’s ovaries and womb. It may cause some discomfort, but should not be painful.
What happens after your scan?
- Following the exam, your doctor will review the images and check for any abnormalities.
- You will be contacted telephonically to discuss the findings, or to schedule a follow-up appointment.
- There is no need for a GP referral to use our private ultrasound scan London service.