What is the Purpose of Sonography?

Sonography is a medical test that involves using high-frequency sound waves for creating an image of the body parts. Often called a sonogram or an ultrasound, this medical test can help the doctors make a correct diagnosis.
In sonography, a device called a transducer is used for sending out ultrasound waves and listening for the echo. The ultrasound waves are translated into an image by the computer. A trained technician will be able to view and identify the structures present in the image and diagnose medical conditions.

Purpose of Sonography
A sonogram image can be used for seeing the shapes and sizes of the structures present inside the body. The denser and harder a tissue is, the more it bounces the waves back to the transducer resulting in a brighter image.
This diagnostic test is used to evaluate the density, shape, and size of tissue and diagnose certain medical conditions. It is the best way to look inside the abdomen without cutting it open. Abdominal ultrasound is often used for diagnosing gallstones, or gallbladder disease, kidney disease of kidney stones, ectopic pregnancies, ovarian cysts, appendicitis, liver disease, uterine fibroids, and other conditions.
Through a sonogram, a doctor can monitor the uterus and fetus’ development during the pregnancy. It can be used to check glands, joint conditions, breast lumps, testicular lumps, bone disease, or to guide the biopsies. It can also be used for recognizing the flow of blood or fluid. The computer is able to recognize the fluid flowing away from or toward the transducer. Then, color overlays are used on the image for showing the flow direction. Very dense and hard tissues or empty spaces like the organs filled with gas are not able to conduct ultrasound waves. So, they aren’t visible on the sonogram.
Sonography can be considered as a step doctors take before moving on to imaging tests that have the risk of potential complications. For example, Computerized Tomography (CT) scanning can expose you to significant radiation levels. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) captures the image using an extremely powerful magnet. The strength of the magnet has limited use in patients who have metals in their bodies like braces.

Before the test
As mentioned before, sonography is a first-line test that is often accompanied by blood tests. Ask your doctor regarding any special instructions you need to follow before the procedure. In case of an emergency, the sonography will be performed immediately. For a future test, you will have to not eat or drink anything before the procedure.

During the test
A technician will be conducting a sonogram for you. The entire procedure will take about 30 minutes. First, you will have to undress enough for exposing the area where the device will be used. Next, the technician will ask you to lie on the bed. He/she will then use a conductive gel for coating the transducer. It will feel like a lubricant jelly. Depending on the available supplies and tools, the gel might be warm. Then, the technician will be sliding the transducer over your skin, sometimes with a little pressure. This might cause you some discomfort, but there is nothing to be worried about.
By using the transducer for pointing the area of interest, the technician will be capturing the images using a computer. They might even use a mouse for dragging lines across the screen that help in measuring size.
Once the procedure is over, you will be given a towel for wiping off the conductive gel. After the technician has confirmed that all the images have been captured, you can go home. There are no side effects to manage or special instructions to follow.
The radiologist will take only a few minutes for interpreting your sonography results. They will tell you what they found on the images and what those findings mean. Depending on the body area that was tested, this can mean different things. Typically, the results are sent to the physician for a diagnosis. You can ask the radiologist for a copy of the report and the disc with the original images.
Sonography is among the most non-invasive diagnostic procedures available. It is the safest option you can use for finding out what is happening inside your body. Rosewalk Hospital is the best maternity hospital in South Delhi that offers luxury rooms for delivery and in-house sonogram facilities.

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