One factor for optimal treatment is the accuracy of diagnosing the disease. To help identify the cause of the disease in patients, doctors can use supporting examinations, among others with the help of ultrasound tools.
Ultrasound is a technique of displaying an image or image of the inner state of the body. In taking pictures, the tool utilizes high frequency sound waves.
One factor for optimal treatment is the accuracy of diagnosing the disease. To help identify the cause of the disease in patients, doctors can use supporting examinations, among others with the help of ultrasound tools.
Ultrasound or ultrasound is a technique of displaying an image or image of the inner state of the body. In taking pictures, the tool utilizes high frequency sound waves.
Conditions Requiring Ultrasound Diagnosis
Generally ultrasound uses a device called a transducer attached to the skin to emit high frequency sound waves. However, there are some ultrasound techniques that need to insert transducers into the body. This technique requires a special transducer.
In addition, technological developments make ultrasound imaging results not only more accurate, but can also be used for more specific purposes, for example in 3-dimensional ultrasound. Some of the purposes for use and types of ultrasound used include:
- Knowing the problems that exist in the prostate by using transrectal ultrasound (through the anus).
- Get imaging from the uterus and ovaries through transvaginal ultrasound.
- Got a clear picture of the heart organ through an echocardiogram.
- Obtain a clear picture of circulatory in blood vessels with doppler technology ultrasound.
- Get visualization of abdominal tissue and organs in it through abdominal ultrasound.
- Monitor the structure and tissues around the kidneys through renal ultrasound.
- Get a picture of breast tissue via breast ultrasound.
- Monitors heart rate in the fetus, usually using Doppler technology.
- Monitor fetal development in pregnant women.
- Monitor the structure of the skull bone, brain, and tissue inside the baby’s head.
- Take samples of body tissues through ultrasound-guided biopsy techniques.
- See visualization of eye structure with eye ultrasound.
Ultrasound Inspection and Technical Procedures
Patients who will undergo an ultrasound examination will usually be asked to lie on their back. The doctor will then apply a special gel to prevent friction between the skin and the transducer. The gel also serves to facilitate the delivery of sound waves into the body.
During ultrasound examination, the transducer will be moved on the part of the body to be examined. This movement is necessary for the sent sound waves to bounce back and bring up good images.
Each bouncing echo will form an image of the size, shape, and consistency of soft tissues or organs in the body. It is the reflection of the waves that then forms the image on the computer screen. After evaluation, the examiner will explain the results of the examination and make a report on the results obtained from the ultrasound examination in the patient.
If the patient wants to perform an ultrasound on certain internal organs, such as the gallbladder, then the patient is asked not to eat and drink other than water for 6-8 hours before the examination is carried out. It is necessary for the gallbladder not to experience shrinkage of size.
Meanwhile, for pregnant women who intend to check the condition of the fetus, the doctor can recommend drinking water at least 4-6 glasses about an hour or two before the ultrasound. The goal is for the bladder to fill up, helping to improve image quality.
During an ultrasound, the doctor may tell the patient to change position. This is done to make the access of waves to the examined organs easier. The ease with which sound waves access the organ further improves the quality of the images obtained.
Ultrasound can be done at clinics or hospitals. The procedure itself usually takes less than half an hour. There is no prohibition after ultrasound, so patients can do activities as usual.
With ultrasound, doctors can detect various problems in the body’s tissues, blood vessels, and organs. Amazingly, it doesn’t require surgery when displaying images to detect problems in the body. Another advantage of this method also known as sonography is the zero use of radiation.
Although ultrasound examination has minimal risk, it still has limitations. Sound waves from this device are unable to penetrate bones and gases. For bone or gas-blocked parts, it is recommended for patients to use other treatment procedures, such as CT scans, MRIs, or X-rays.