Ultrasound Examination

Ultrasound is used in medicine both for the diagnosis and monitoring of various conditions and for real-time guidance during technically demanding procedures. Common areas of application include:

• examination of the abdominal organs (abdominal sonography), e.g. the kidneys
• thyroid sonography
• cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography)
• vascular ultrasound, e.g. of the carotid arteries or leg veins
• sonography of the female breast (breast sonography)
• gynaecological ultrasound, e.g. for assessment of the uterus, ovaries, and during pregnancy
• joint ultrasound, e.g. of the hip joint

Depending on which organs are to be assessed at the practice, the ultrasound examination takes place in a sitting, standing, or lying position (face down or on the side).

First, a doctor applies ultrasound gel to the transducer and often also to the relevant area of skin, so that even contact is established between the transducer and the body surface. The ultrasound device emits ultrasound waves into the tissue via the transducer. Patients feel nothing of this. The ultrasound waves are reflected back by the tissue in different ways depending on its structure.

The transducer picks up these reflected waves, and the ultrasound device uses them to calculate an image. This is then displayed on the monitor for both the doctor and the patient. The doctor often explains the findings directly on screen. Particularly informative images can be printed directly on the ultrasound device.

After the examination, the doctor will give you a cloth to wipe off the ultrasound gel. Should it have come into contact with your clothing, there is no need to worry: the gels in common use today have a high water content and generally do not leave permanent stains on clothing. There are no special precautions regarding diet, driving, or similar activities for the period following the ultrasound.