Ultrasound

What is an Ultrasound?

Ultrasound is a widely used and effective tool for examining a variety of body areas and organs. It does not use any ionizing radiation and works by sending high frequency sound waves into the body through a handheld probe or transducer.

Imaging Morayfield uses the latest imaging ultrasound systems providing enhanced image quality for medical diagnosis in a wide range of areas including abdominal, obstetrics and gynaecology, vascular, musculoskeletal, and other soft tissue areas of the body.

What ultrasound studies does Imaging Morayfield provide?

• General ultrasound
• Obstetric (pregnancy)
• Musculoskeletal
• Vascular (veins and arteries)
• Paediatric (children)
• Interventional (ultrasound-guided procedures)

Before your examination

Depending on the area to be scanned you may be asked to follow special instructions.

The preparation may include drinking and holding water or fasting before your test. You will be given all the relevant information when making your appointment, but we’ve provided an overview below.

Pelvis, pregnancy, lower abdomen, kidney/bladder/renal ultrasounds require you to have a full bladder. It is necessary to drink 1 liter of water 90 minutes prior to the scan and refrain from going to the toilet.

Nuchal Translucency ultrasounds are performed at 13 weeks and require you to have a full bladder. It is necessary to drink 750mls of water 90 minutes prior to the scan and refrain from going to the toilet. In most instances there is a fee for a Nuchal Translucency study, however in some instances if specific Medicare criteria is met the examination can be bulk-billed.

Gynaecological ultrasounds require you to have a full bladder. It is necessary to drink 1 liter of water 90 minutes prior to the scan and refrain from going to the toilet. In some instances an internal ultrasound is required and is performed with an empty bladder. The sonographer will discuss this option with you. A female sonographer is available if requested.

Abdominal ultrasounds such as liver, gallbladder or pancreas require you to fast (i.e. no eating, drinking or smoking for 6 hours prior to the examination). All medications should be taken prior to the fasting period. If you are a diabetic, please discuss this with our booking consultants.

Musculoskeletal ultrasounds (shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, hand and wrist, hip, thigh, knee, calf, ankle and foot) usually require no special preparation.

‍

During your examination

You may be asked to change into a gown depending on the area of the body being scanned.

The Sonographer performing the examination may begin by taking a history of your complaint. Ultrasound gel will then be applied to the area of interest and an ultrasound transducer will be used to scan the relevant anatomy.

For each body area there is a routine series of images that will be sought. There may be times when the sonographer scans areas that are not tender to build up a complete understanding of your complaint and to look for causes of referred pain.

‍

‍

‍

‍