An ultrasound scan is a painless test that uses sound waves to create images of organs and structures inside the body. It is a very commonly used test. As it uses sound waves and not radiation, it is harmless, painless and an non intrusive procedure.
What is ultrasound?
Ultrasound is a high-frequency sound that you cannot hear, but it can be emitted and detected by special machines.
How does ultrasound work?
Ultrasound travels freely through fluid and soft tissues. However, ultrasound is reflected back (it bounces back as 'echoes') when it hits a more solid (dense) surface. For example, the ultrasound will travel freely though blood in a heart chamber. But, when it hits a solid valve, a lot of the ultrasound echoes back. Another example is that when ultrasound travels though bile in a gallbladder it will echo back strongly if it hits a solid gallstone.
So, as ultrasound 'hits' different structures of different density in the body, it sends back echoes of varying strength.
What does an ultrasound scan involve?
You can have your pet stand or lie down on her back, then an operator (me) places a probe on the skin over the part of the body to be examined. The probe is a bit like a very thick blunt pen. Lubricating jelly is put on the skin/probe so that the probe makes good contact with the body. The probe is connected by a wire to the ultrasound machine, which is linked to a monitor. Pulses of ultrasound are sent from the probe through the skin into the body. The ultrasound waves then echo ('bounce back') from the various structures in the body.
The echoes are detected by the probe and are sent down the wire to the ultrasound machine. They are displayed as a picture on the monitor. The picture is constantly updated so the scan can show movement as well as structure. For example, the valves of a heart opening and closing during a scan of the heart. The operator (me) moves the probe around over the surface of the skin to get views from different angles.
The scan is painless and takes about 15-45 minutes, depending on which parts of the body are being examined. A record of the results of the test can be made as still pictures.
What is an ultrasound test used for?
It is used in many situations. The way the ultrasound bounces back from different tissues can help to determine the size, shape and consistency of organs, structures and abnormalities.
So, it can:
Help to monitor the growth of an unborn foetus, and check for abnormalities.
Detect abnormalities of heart structures such as the heart valves.
Help to diagnose problems of the liver and gallbladder.
Detect abnormal widening of blood vessels (aneurysms).
For example, it can help to determine if an abnormal lump in one of these organs is a solid tumour or a fluid-filled cyst.
What should I do to prepare for an Ultrasound Scan?
Usually there is no special preparation needed. There may be a slight chance that your pet may need a trim before the ultrasound as it is a lot harder to see a clear picture. or anything at all, if they are quite hairy.
Are there any side-effects or complications from ultrasound?
These scans are painless and safe. Unlike X-rays and other imaging tests, they do not use radiation. They have not been found to cause any problems or complications.
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