Ultrasound is called one of the most commonly used imaging tools in modern medicine. And the examination itself is called ultrasonography (ultrasound examination). An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the internal parts of the body. It is used to diagnose the causes of pain, swelling, or other symptoms related to internal organs such as the heart, spleen, kidneys, ovaries, liver, blood vessels, etc. The ultrasound examination is safe and painless, so it is also often used to monitor fetal development in pregnant women.
The technology that the sonar uses is similar to that of sonar and is used by bats, ships and the military for navigation. When high-frequency sound waves (ultrasounds) reach an object, they recouple into it and return. By measuring these echo waves with the appropriate instrument, it is possible to determine the distance, size, shape and even consistency of the object. In medicine, an ultrasound machine is used to create images of the internal organs in the human body - their size and shape, and also the tissue and blood vessels that surround them. This enables the doctor to gain a detailed understanding of the condition of the organ concerned and to detect abnormalities or atypical growths (tumours) without the need for penetration. Ultrasound waves are sent to the inside of the body using a device that every sonographer has (called a "transduser"). The transmitted waves are reflected (echoed) into denser structures such as an organ or bone and picked up again by this transducer. It records and reproduces the information on a monitor as an image.
Unlike X-ray and CT, ultrasonography does not use radiation to create an image. Sound is the only thing this technology uses. This makes it the safest and preferred method of diagnosis in a large percentage of cases.
The ultrasound examination has a wide application in medicine, and not only for the diagnosis of various conditions. The ultrasound also serves as a navigator for the doctor when performing biopsies and other invasive procedures. The idea is that the image from the ultrasound guides the specialist and helps him avoid risk areas when penetrating the body. This is possible thanks to the equipment's ability to reproduce images in real time and show the movement of internal structures in the body. There is also a special type of Doppler ultrasonography, which is used to track the movement of blood in the blood vessels.
Cardiology - echocardiography is used for the diagnosis of various heart diseases (endocarditis, pericardial effusions, cardiomyopathies) and assessment of the functioning of the ventricles.
Gastroenterology - is used for imaging diagnostics of abdominal organs - pancreas, liver, aorta, kidneys, spleen.
Anesthesiology - used for invasive manipulations
Gynaecology - the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes and bladder are examined. It is used to diagnose gynecological conditions such as cysts, ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis.
Obstetrics - an image is created of the developing fetus in the womb, placenta and amniotic fluid. This is how the black and white visualizations of the baby in the mother's abdomen are made. Through them, at a more advanced stage of pregnancy, the sex of the child can also be established.
Urology - is used in the diagnosis of benign and malignant testicular growths. Also in the treatment of kidney stones.
Here is an example of how the ultrasound works in diagnosing kidney stones. As you already know, high frequency waves ricochet into solid objects they cannot pass through and back out. So they would pass freely through the kidney and not produce an image, but if there are stones, they will ricochet into them and visualize them on the monitor.
Depending on the area to be examined, you may be asked to remove some of your clothing and lie down. Before proceeding with the ultrasound examination, the doctor will apply a special gel to the area to be examined. The gel is designed to reduce friction and increase wave transmission. The specialist will then place the transducer on the surface of your skin. Sound waves are imperceptible to the human ear, so nothing is heard during the examination. The ultrasound diagnosis lasts no more than 30 minutes, after which the gel will be cleaned, and you can return to your daily routine.
The ultrasound room at SanaMedic is modern and comfortably furnished. Here, ultrasound examinations are performed by a gastroenterologist, cardiologist, endocrinologist, urologist and gynecologist. We believe in technology and quality equipment, which is why we trust the proven brand for sonography equipment, Esaote.
More about the Esaote MyLab™Seven
The MyLab Seven is a new generation scanner with technical enhancements to enable scanning of difficult areas. CPI technology allows for increased depth of field and improved image quality. The procedures with this scanner allow the reduction of spots on the image, thus achieving optimal diagnostic accuracy. The advanced features of the Easote MyLab Seven allow physicians to perform procedures with absolute accuracy.
In addition to the precision with which the work is performed, the improvements to Easote MyLab Seven also make it possible to optimise the time taken to complete the various procedures. A wide range of automatic image processing, Doppler, measurement and archiving functions save time for both doctors and their patients.
eHD is the other innovation that enables more precise operation in ultrasound imaging. All elements of the chain through which the ultrasound signal passes are optimized, starting from the echo generated by the human body and ending with the monitor on which the result is displayed. Scanner improvements increase the efficiency of ultrasound scanning, enabling doctors to be as confident as possible in ultrasound diagnosis.
SanaMedic Medical Center Varna
