Ultrasounds are mainly used for diagnostic and
therapeutic purposes. Therapeutic ultrasounds include using sound waves to
pinpoint a specific target for an injection, or to heat tissues to kill a
tumor. In diagnostic tests, such as checking for herniated area or an abdominal
growth, the doctor uses the soundwaves to produce an image. Most Gold Coast ultrasound scans are diagnostic in nature.
Ultrasound imaging is utilized in many different
medical settings, such as in radiology, obstetrics, oncology, and orthopedics,
from general practitioners to hospital specialists. With ultrasound technology,
your doctor can see problems with organs, tissues, and vessels without the need
to make an incision.
The following are the top uses of ultrasound:
To Monitor the Baby
A pregnancy Gold Coast ultrasound uses sound waves to
capture a picture of a baby on the screen. With it, doctors check on the health
of the baby and detect complications during pregnancy. Most women will have 1
to 2 ultrasounds during pregnancy, but you may have more if your doctor considers
it medically necessary.
A biophysical profile (BPP) also includes Gold Coast ultrasound by combining it with a nonstress test to find out if the baby is
getting enough oxygen. NST (nonstress test) also measures the heart rate of the
fetus in response to its movements.
For Breast Imaging Test
If you feel a lump in your breast, or one is
apparent on your mammogram, your doctor may request for an ultrasound. A breast
ultrasound generates detailed images of the tissue inside. It can show if the
lump is a fluid-filled cyst or a solid mass that requires more testing.
Breast ultrasound is not normally performed to
screen for breast cancer, as it may miss some early signs of the disease. But
ultrasound may be used if you have a dense breast tissue because a mammogram
may not see through the tissue.
Your doctor may also use ultrasound to help
remove fluid from a cyst, see nearby lymph nodes, or guide a needle during a
biopsy.
To Check Abdominal Pain
Ultrasound is an easy and fast test to look for
the cause of abdominal pain and is often referred to by doctors as the first
test to look for underlying conditions like suspicious lesions or gallstones.
The common use of the procedure is to evaluate the gallbladder, liver,
pancreas, bile ducts, spleen, and blood vessels of the abdomen.
If you have a persistent pain for more than 3
days in your belly, it can be a sign of a more serious problem. With an abdominal
ultrasound, a specialist will be able to see and evaluate your condition,
giving you some reassurance.
For Testicular Ultrasound
Testicular ultrasound is performed to:
Check for blood, fluid, or pus in the scrotum,
and fluid in the epididymis.
Look for twisting of the spermatic cord.
Check on a swelling or an infection of the
testicles or epididymis.
Find an undescended testicle.
Check pain or a mass in the testicles.
Check an injury to the genital area.
Check to see if testicular cancer has returned.
Guide a biopsy needle for a biopsy.
Talk to your healthcare provider about how the
test will be done, its risks, any concerns you have, and what the results will
mean.