NB: only Non-obstetric Ultrasound Scans (NOUS) are available in this Department.
The ultrasound department currently provides a diverse selection of scans including - general medical, small parts, vascular, musculoskeletal, gynaecological and baby hip scanning.
Ultrasound imaging is also called ultrasound scanning or sonography. It is a safe, non-invasive and painless procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of part of the body under investigation. Ultrasound examinations do not use radiation.
Gel is placed directly on the skin and a small hand held probe called a transducer is used. High-frequency sound waves travel from the probe through the gel into the body. The sound waves bounce off different parts (interfaces) of the body and create ‘echoes’ that are received back by the probe. A computer uses those sound waves to create a moving image, displayed on a monitor. The probe is used to view each organ from different angles to give a full image of the area being examined.
Conventional ultrasound displays the images in thin, flat sections of the body. Advancements in ultrasound technology include three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound that formats the sound wave data into 3-D images.
A doppler ultrasound study may also be part of an ultrasound examination. This is a specialised ultrasound technique that evaluates movement of blood flow through arteries and veins in the body.
