Ultrasound examination is an imaging method that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce precise images of structures within your body. The images produced through ultrasound examination often provide information that's valuable in diagnosing and treating a variety of diseases and conditions.

Ultrasound is based on the same principles as sonar, a technology used to detect underwater objects. The transducer generates and receives high-frequency sound waves that can't be heard by the human ear.

As the doctor places the probe (a small hand-held device) on your skin, crystals inside the probe emit pulses of sound waves that travel into your body. Your tissues, bones and body fluids reflect the sound waves and bounce them back to the probe. The probe then sends this information to a computer, which composes detailed images based on the patterns created by the sound waves.

RISK

Diagnostic ultrasound is a safe procedure that uses low-power sound waves

PREPARATION

This Exam should be done before ANY barium study

How you prepare for an ultrasound depends on which area of your body is being tested:

• Some ultrasound exams require no preparation.
• Others require that you forego food and liquids for up to 12 hours before the exam.
• Still others require that you not urinate before the exam to ensure that your bladder will be full.

ABDOMINAL US

No food or drink 8 hours before the examination.  Avoid gas producing foods the day before the exam e.x milk, peas, beans, soda.

PELVIC US

Drink 4-5 glasses of water ½ hour before the examination. No soda allowed.
N.B Your bladder must be full for this examinations

WHAT TO EXPECT

You lie on an examination table

A small amount of warm gel is applied to your skin. The gel helps eliminate the formation of air pockets between the probe and your body.

A small hand-held device (probe), about the size of a bar of soap, is pressed against your skin over the area of your body being examined, moving from one area to another as necessary.

Ultrasound is usually a painless procedure. There may be minimal discomfort if your bladder is full.

A typical ultrasound exam takes from 30 minutes to an hour.

Some ultrasounds are done inside your body (invasive ultrasounds). For these exams, a probe is inserted into a natural opening in your body. Examples of these exams include:

• Transvaginal ultrasound. The probe is inserted into a woman's vagina to view her uterus and ovaries
• Transesophageal echocardiogram. The probe is inserted into your esophagus to obtain images of the nearby heart.
• Transrectal ultrasound. The probe is inserted into a man's rectum to view his prostate.

RESULTS

When your exam is complete, the radiologist generally view the ultrasound images on film or on a computer monitor. The radiologist analyzes the images and sends a report of the findings to you or your doctor.

CT (Computerized Tomography)

A CT scan is an X-ray technique that produces images of your body that visualize internal  structures.

Conventional X-ray exams use a stationary X-ray machine to focus beams of radiation on a particular area of your body to produce images just like a photograph. But CT scans use an X-ray unit that rotates around your body and a powerful computer. CT scans show slices inside of your body.

A CT scan shows detail anatomy, unlike conventional X-rays.

Doctors recommend a CT scan for a wide variety of reasons

RISKS

Patients are briefly exposed to radiation during a CT scan. However, doctors and other scientists believe that CT scans provide enough valuable information to outweigh the associated risks. Be sure to inform your doctor if:

You're pregnant.  If you're pregnant, your doctor may recommend another type of exam to reduce the possible risk of exposing your fetus to radiation

You have asthma or allergies. If you have had a prior reaction to contrast media or have asthma or allergies, there's an increased risk of a reaction to the contrast medium.

You have certain medical conditions. Diabetes, asthma, heart disease, kidney problems or certain thyroid conditions may increase your risk of a reaction to contrast media.

HOW TO  PREPARE

This depends on which part of your body is being scanned.

You may be asked to remove your clothing and wear a hospital gown.

You'll need to remove any metal objects, such as jewelry, that might interfere with image results.

You may receive an intravenous line, which involves a needle stick, if contrast is needed for your exam.

Preparation sometimes involves fasting

If your test involves a contrast medium, your doctor may ask you to fast for a few hours before the test.

Some CT scans require you to drink a contrast liquid before the scan or have contrast injected into a vein in your arm during the scan.

A contrast medium blocks X-rays and appears white on images, which can help emphasize blood vessels, bowel or other structures.

Depending on the part of your body being scanned, your doctor may ask you to take laxatives, enemas or suppositories, or temporarily modify your diet.

Reactions to contrast medium

Although rare, the contrast medium involved in a CT scan poses a slight risk of allergic reaction.

Most reactions are mild and result in hives or itchiness.

For people with asthma who become allergic to the contrast medium, the reaction can be an asthma attack.

In rare instances, an allergic reaction can be serious and potentially life-threatening — including swelling in your throat or other areas of your body.

If you experience hives, itchiness or swelling in your throat during or after your CT exam, immediately tell your technologist or doctor.

If you've had a reaction to a contrast medium in the past, tell your doctor.

Be sure to let your doctor know if you have kidney problems, since contrast material that's injected into a vein is removed from your body by your kidneys and could potentially cause further damage to your kidneys.

Preparing your small child for a scan

If your infant or toddler is having the CT scan, the doctor may give your child something to make them sleepy which keep him or her calm and still. Movement blurs the images and may lead to incorrect results. Ask your doctor how best to prepare your child.

WHAT TO EXPECT

During a CT scan, you lie on a table inside a doughnut-shaped machine called a gantry.

An X-ray tube inside the machine rotates around your body and sends small doses of radiation through it at various angles.

As X-rays pass through your body, different tissues absorb different amounts of radiation.

Detectors inside the gantry measure the radiation that passed through your body and converts it into electrical signals.

A computer gathers these signals and assigns them a color ranging from black to white, depending on signal intensity. The computer then assembles the images and displays them on a computer monitor.

The scan itself may take less than a minute on the newest machines. Most scans take just a few minutes to complete. On our older machine (single slice), it takes much longer.

You may lie on your back, side or stomach, depending on the area to be scanned. The table can be raised or lowered. Straps and pillows may help you stay in position.

During a CT scan of the head, the table may be fitted with a special cradle that holds your head still.

While the table is moving you may need to hold your breath to avoid blurring the images.

You may hear clicking and whirring noises.

Each rotation yields several images of thin slices of your body.

The technologist can see and hear you, and you can communicate via intercom.
CT scans are painless.

If your exam involves use of an intravenous contrast medium, you may feel a brief sensation of heat or experience a metallic taste in your mouth.

If you receive the contrast medium through an enema — to help highlight your lower gastrointestinal region — you may feel a sense of fullness or cramping.

After the exam you can return to your normal routine.

After the scan drink lots of fluids to help your kidneys remove the medium from your body.

During your small child's exam

If an infant or small child is having the CT scan, you may be allowed to stay with your child during the test. If so, you may be asked to wear a lead apron, which is heavy, to shield you from X-ray exposure.

RESULTS

CT images are stored as electronic data files and usually reviewed on a computer. A radiologist interprets these images and sends a report to your doctor.