Ultrasound is a safe and painless procedure that produces pictures of the inside of the body using sound waves. Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning or sonography, involves using a small transducer (probe) and ultrasound gel placed directly onto the skin. High-frequency sound waves are transmitted from the probe through the gel into the body. The transducer collects the sounds that bounce back and a computer then uses those sound waves to create an image. Ultrasound examinations do not use ionising radiation such as in X-ray; therefore there is no radiation exposure to the patient. It can be used on individuals of all ages, including pregnant women and infants. Ultrasound imaging has many applications in medicine. It is commonly used to evaluate the abdomen and pelvis for conditions such as gallstones, kidney stones, liver disease, and reproductive system abnormalities. Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can show the structure and movement of the body’s internal organs and blood flowing through blood vessels. Doppler ultrasound is a specialised ultrasound technique that evaluates blood flow through a blood vessel, including the body’s major arteries and veins in the abdomen, arms, legs, neck and head (in neonates)

Is booking required:

Yes, although urgent ultrasounds may be accommodated without a booking.
Branches: Mediclinic Vereeniging and Midvaal Private Hospitals

How should I prepare for the procedure?

You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for your ultrasound examination. You may need to remove all clothing and jewellery in the area to be examined. You may be asked to wear a gown during the procedure. Preparation for the procedure will depend on the type of examination. For some scans, your doctor may instruct you not to eat or drink for as long as 12 hours before your appointment. For others, you may be required to drink up to 6 glasses of water 2 hours before your examination and avoid urinating so that your bladder is full at the time of the examination.

What does the procedure entail?

The ultrasound examination is typically performed in a dimly lit room to enhance visibility on the monitor. During an ultrasound examination, a trained technician, known as a sonographer, applies a gel on the skin over the area of interest. Then, a device called a transducer is moved across the gel covered skin. The transducer emits high-frequency sound waves into the body, which bounce off the tissues and organs, producing echoes. These echoes are captured by the transducer and converted into real-time images displayed on a monitor. The technician may ask the patient to change positions to get different views or apply slight pressure with the transducer for better image quality. The procedure is generally painless, with only minimal discomfort due to the pressure applied by the transducer.