|
Page: Diagnostic Applications
Main article
| Home > Pregnancy and Birth > Diagnostic Applications |
Sonography (ultrasonography) is widely utilized in medicine. It is possible to perform diagnosis or therapeutic procedures with the guidance of sonography (for instance biopsies or drainage of fluid collections). Sonographers are medical professionals who perform scans for diagnostic purposes; they work with specialized doctors called sonologists who provide reports of the images obtained. Sonographers typically use a hand-held probe (called a transducer) that is placed directly on and moved over the patient. A water-based gel is used to couple the ultrasound between the transducer and patient.
Sonography is effective for imaging soft tissues of the body. Superficial structures such as muscles, tendons, testes, breast and the neonatal brain are imaged at a higher frequency (7-15 MHz), which provides better axial and lateral resolution. Deeper structures such as liver and kidney are imaged at a lower frequency 1-6 MHz with lower axial and lateral resolution but greater penetration.
Medical sonography is used in, for example:
* Cardiology; see echocardiography
* Endocrinology
* Gastroenterology
* Gynaecology; see gynecologic ultrasonography
* Obstetrics; see obstetric ultrasonography
* Ophthalmology; see A-scan ultrasonography, B-scan ultrasonography
* Urology
* Musculoskeletal, tendons, muscles, and nerves
* Vascular, arteries and veins
* Intravascular ultrasound (e.g. ultrasound guided fluid aspiration, fine needle aspiration, guided injections)
* Intervenional
* Contrast-enhanced ultrasound
A general-purpose ultrasonic machine may be able to be used for most imaging purposes. Usually specialty applications may be served only by use of a specialty transducer. The dynamic nature of many studies generally requires specialized features in a sonographic machine for it to be effective; such as endovaginal, endorectal, or transesophageal transducers.
Obstetrical ultrasound is commonly used during pregnancy to check on the development of the fetus. borrIIn
In a pelvic sonogram, organs of the pelvic region are imaged. This includes the uterus and ovaries or urinary bladder. Men are sometimes given a pelvic sonogram to check on the health of their bladder and prostate. There are two methods of performing a pelvic sonography - externally or internally. The internal pelvic sonogram is performed either transvaginally (in a woman) or transrectally (in a man).
In abdominal sonography, the solid organs of the abdomen such as the pancreas, aorta, inferior vena cava, liver, gall bladder, bile ducts, kidneys, and spleen are imaged. Sound waves are blocked by gas in the bowel, therefore there are limited diagnostic capabilities in this area. The appendix can sometimes be seen when inflamed eg: appendicitis.
|
Important notice:
The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other
qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
|