Question 1

Abdomen Ultrasound

Accepted Answer

To assess the Liver, Gallbladder, Biliary Tree, Kidneys, Spleen, Pancreas & Aorta.
 
Typical reasons for an Ultrasound of Abdomen:
? Gallstones
Upper abdominal pain
Abnormal Liver Function (LFT) blood test.
 
Preparation instructions:
Please do not eat or drink anything for 4 hours before your appointment time.

Question 2

Female Pelvis

Accepted Answer

Using a combination of Abdominal and Trans-vaginal ultrasound probes, the Uterus & Ovaries can be visualised in great detail.
Many causes for heavy & or irregular periods, pelvic pain and post-menopausal bleeding can be identified with ultrasound.

We can see and measure ovarian cysts and fibroids, measure the lining of the womb (endometrium), check for polycystic ovaries and much more.
We initially carry out your scan with a probe on top of the pelvis.
We ask you to have a full bladder for this part, as this provides us with a "window" to help us visualise your organs.

For the second part of the scan you are asked to empty your bladder.
On your return from the toilet, you will be asked to remove your lower clothing and you will be provided with a towel to maintain your privacy. Our internal probe is covered with a latex-free sheath and sterile gel is applied to it.

The probe is then carefully inserted a little way into the vagina, and using gentle manipulation, we can visualise, take images and measurements of your pelvic organs. This procedure only takes a few minutes and most patients find it quite tolerable. The procedure can be stopped at any time you wish.

At all times there will be a female chaperone present, and patient dignity and respect will be maintained throughout the procedure.
Following the examination, you will be provided with tissues and privacy to get dressed.

Preparation instructions:
Please drink 2 pints of water one hour prior to your scan appointment.

Question 3

Renal Ultrasound

Accepted Answer

Typical reasons for a renal ultrasound:
? Kidney stones
Renal colic
Urinary Tract Infection
Incomplete bladder emptying
? Prostate enlargement
Kidney cysts 
Renal masses
Hydronephrosis
 
Preparation Instructions:
Drink 2 pints of water 1 hour before appointment time.

Question 4

Aorta Ultrasound

Accepted Answer

Typical reasons for an Aorta Ultrasound:
Male patient, over 65 for screening of Aorta, to rule out an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA).
Pulsatile central abdominal mass ? Aneurysm.
Family history of AAA.
 
Preparation instructions:
Nothing to eat or drink 6 hours before appointment time.

Question 5

Thyroid Ultrasound

Accepted Answer

Typical reasons for a Thyroid Ultrasound:
Goitre
Thyroid swelling
Abnormal thyroid function blood test
Hyper or hypo thyroidism
Check for and characterisation of thyroid nodules.
 
No preparation is required for this scan.

Question 6

Carotid Artery Ultrasound

Accepted Answer

Typical reasons for a Carotid artery scan:
Suspected transient ischaemic Attack (TIA)
Narrowing or blockage of Carotid arteries by a build up of plaque
Provides a general indicator of subclinical vascular disease
 A recent meta-analysis of 22 articles found that the measurement of intima-media thickness was an accurate diagnostic tool, in the asseeement for Coronary Artetry Disease*. This is one of the many measurements that we perform during your Carotid Artery examination.
 • *(Diagnostic Role of Carotid Intima-media Thickness for Coronary Artery Disease: A Meta-Analysis. Dianmei Liu, Caiju Du, Weibuang Shao & Guifeng Ma. Biochemistry Research International: Feb 25, 2020)
No preparation is required for this scan

Question 7

Head & Neck Ultrasound

Accepted Answer

Typical reasons for a Head & Neck Ultrasound:
Neck lumps
Salivary gland lump/swelling
Dry mouth ? blocked salivary gland duct
? Enlarged and or reactive neck lymph nodes
Epidermoid cysts
 
No preparation is required for this scan

Question 8

Testes Ultrasound

Accepted Answer

Typical reasons for Testes Ultrasound:
Testicular or scrotal sac lump
Swelling of the scrotum
Infection, such as epididymitis or epididymo-orchitis
Testicular pain
Recent change in testicle size
? Varicocele
Male infertility
 
No preparation is required for this scan

Question 9

Shoulder (1 area):

Accepted Answer

• Ascertaining the cause of pain and/or limited range of movement of the shoulder joint. 
• Tendon tears, tendinopathy, Impingement, and bursitis.
• Acromioclavicular joint injury/arthropathy.
• Long head of biceps tendon tears, tendinopathy, tenosynovitis, dislocation.
• Assessment of Adhesive capsulitis (Frozen shoulder)
• Glenohumeral joint effusions.
• Overlying muscle injuries.
 
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Question 10

Knee (1 area):

Accepted Answer

• Bursitis (deep and superficial).
• Patellar tendon tears/tendinopathy. 
• Medial & lateral tendon injury.
• Knee effusions, Baker’s cysts, Popliteal artery aneurysms.
• Meniscal cysts.
 
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Question 11

Hernia:

Accepted Answer

• Inguinal + Femoral (1 area) 
 • Umbilical + Epigastric + Spigelian, & incisional (1 area).
 • Divarication of the Recti (1 area).

Question 12

Hip Joint / Upper leg:

Accepted Answer

• For effusions and Greater Trochanteric bursitis (1 area).
• Tears of muscles within the proximal leg (1 area).
• Hamstring injury assessment (1 area).

Question 13

Elbow (1 area):

Accepted Answer

• Common extensor & flexor origins pathology (Tennis & Golfer’s elbow).
 • Distal Biceps tendon tear & injury.
 • Elbow joint for arthropathy.
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Question 14

Hands & Wrists: (Hand = 1 area, wrist = 1 area)"

Accepted Answer

• Tendon & joint injuries, tendinopathy, effusions, synovitis.
• Early signs of Rheumatoid & Osteoarthritis.
• Ganglion cysts.
• Dupuytren’s contracture.
• De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
 
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Question 15

Foot & Ankle: (Foot = 1 area, Ankle = 1 area):"

Accepted Answer

• Achilles’ tendon tears & tendinopathy.
• Gastrocnemius (calf) muscle tears.
• Early signs of Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis.
• Ankle tendons & ligaments tears & tendinopathy.
• Plantar fasciitis, fibroma, & plantar plate tears.
• Morton’s neuroma.
• Bursitis.
 
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Question 16

Lumps and Bumps etc:

Accepted Answer

• Query Ganglion: up to 3 ganglia (1 area).
• Foreign body detection (1 area).
• Lumps & bumps, including lipoma, epidermoid cysts, & other soft-tissue masses. (up to 3 lumps = 1 area)
• Other areas can be discussed with the Sonographer to assess suitability for Ultrasound.
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AREAS WE SCAN