Ultrasound examination  is the examination of organs and tissues using ultrasonic waves. An ultrasound transducer sends an ultrasound signal that travels through tissues of varying densities and is reflected at the boundaries of those tissues. The receiving sensor registers changes in the returned signal and translates them into a graphic image, which is visualized on the monitor screen.

The ultrasound is performed in the supine position, in some cases - lying on the side or sitting. To avoid distortion of sound waves as they pass through the patient's skin, a special gel is applied to the sensor. The doctor places the sensor against the skin in the projection area of ​​the organ being examined and moves it at different angles and with different pressure levels to obtain the most accurate image.

You can undergo an ultrasound in Minsk for a fee in our hospital. The latest equipment and the experience of doctors guarantee the quality of the examination.

Types of ultrasound (with duplex scanning, with spectral and color Dopplerography of blood vessels):

• salivary and thyroid glands;
• genitourinary system;
• abdominal organs;
• kidneys, prostate, mammary glands;
• pelvic organs (transabdominal, transvaginal);
• fetus during pregnancy (placentometry, fetometry, fetus in 3-dimensional mode, assessment of amniotic fluid);
• cervicometry (examination of the cervix);
• extended examination of the fetal heart (Doppler studies).

Limitations of the method

Image quality may deteriorate in the following situations:

• the patient is overweight, when ultrasound waves cannot reach deep organs;
• the presence of gas between the sensor and the organ being examined (most often these are intestinal loops distended by gas);
• Ultrasound does not penetrate bones well.

Information content

The information content of ultrasound examination is enhanced by Doppler technology , which records signals from moving structures (blood in vessels). She uses

Diagnostic capabilities

Ultrasound examination is used not only to make a diagnosis, but also to monitor the course of the disease and monitor the effectiveness of its treatment.

Preparing for the study

Ultrasound examination does not require special preparation. The examination of the abdominal organs is carried out on an empty stomach (6-8 hours after the last meal), since after eating, bile is released from the gallbladder, it decreases in size and is poorly defined during the study. 1-2 days before the test, limit the diet to white bread, legumes, and other foods that increase the formation of gases in the intestines. If an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs (female genital organs or prostate gland in men) will be performed with a probe through the abdominal wall (transabdominal), the examination is performed with a full bladder to obtain an accurate image. When using sensors transvaginally or transrectally, the bladder must be empty.

Areas of application of ultrasound

Ultrasound examination in obstetrics and gynecology

Ultrasound examination is used to monitor the development of the fetus during pregnancy, at least three times during pregnancy (at 11-13, 18-21 and 32-35 weeks of pregnancy). It allows you to assess the number of fetuses in the uterus, their size, the structure of internal organs and the degree of their development, the child’s compliance with the gestational age, and also identify many congenital malformations. When performing an ultrasound, the structure and location of the placenta and the amount of amniotic fluid are assessed.  Doppler  examination, available on high-quality and expert-class ultrasound machines available in the clinic, allows you to assess blood flow in the vessels of the fetus and uterus and determine the condition of the fetus.

Our clinic also performs  3D  (volumetric) examination, which allows parents to see the child’s face in a three-dimensional image.

Fetal echocardiography is also performed, i.e. extended examination of the fetal heart (both normal and if congenital heart defects are suspected).

One of the most important criteria for the normal course of pregnancy at 18-21 weeks is the length of the cervix, which is also measured by ultrasound.

Ultrasound examination reveals ovarian cysts and tumors, polycystic ovaries; endometriosis, polyps or uterine fibroids; ectopic pregnancy; assesses the thickness of the endometrium in the uterus in different phases of the menstrual cycle; maturation of follicles in the ovary; with its help it is possible to control the correct installation of the intrauterine device. The study should be performed using a combined approach: both a transabdominal sensor (through the skin of the abdomen) and a transvaginal one (through the vagina).

Ultrasound of the abdominal organs

Ultrasound diagnostics can assess the condition of most abdominal organs - the liver and gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, as well as the retroperitoneal organ - the kidneys. Ultrasound of the liver detects liver tumors, metastases of tumors of other organs to the liver, liver cysts, changes in the size of the liver and its structure. When examining the gallbladder, you can detect swelling of its walls (a sign of inflammation), the presence of stones in the lumen of the bladder, if their size is more than 3 mm; presence of gallbladder polyps. When examining the pancreas, tumors, cysts, stones of the main pancreatic duct, and inflammatory changes are diagnosed. In the kidneys you can find cysts, stones, tumors, signs of hydronephrosis or kidney prolapse.

Hollow organs - the stomach, duodenum - are poorly visualized by ultrasound; endoscopy, radiography, and CT are used to examine them.

Urology

An ultrasound examination of the prostate gland is performed to assess its size and structure for the purpose of diagnosing chronic prostatitis, prostate adenoma or prostate cancer. The study is carried out with a transrectal sensor (through the rectum) or a transabdominal sensor (with a full bladder).

Endocrinology

Ultrasound can detect an increase in the size of the thyroid gland (hypertrophy) or a decrease in size (hypotrophy), cysts and tumors.

Ultrasound of the breast

Ultrasound of the breast is recommended to be performed on days 5-8 of the menstrual cycle. This study reveals the presence of signs of mastopathy, fibroadenomas, and other breast formations. In this case, the regional lymph nodes must be examined.