Sonography -- the what, how and when of the procedure

Worried about what a sonography will entail? Here is all the information you might need before you go in for one.

Most people dread going to the doctor, and when you are asked to take a diagnostic test that dread grows multifold. While the results of the test might be a big concern, what you might experience during the test is something that might be a niggling worry. So, to help you out, here is everything you might want to know about a sonography.

What is a sonography?

A sonography (or ultrasonography ) is a diagnostic medical procedure that uses high frequency sound waves to produce dynamic (or real-time) images of internal organs, tissue and blood vessels. The resultant image is known as a sonogram. Traditionally this image is one dimensional, but off late a sonogram is also available in 3D and 4D forms.

Used to detect any abnormalities in the abdomen, breasts, heart, blood vessels, reproductive organs (ovaries, prostate etc.) and for pregnant mothers, this technology works on the same principle that animals like bats and dolphins travel and see objects.

When is it used?

This technology is used for a number of reasons apart from diagnostics. For instance, a sonography is also used to help guide procedures like a needle biopsy (where abnormal tissue is removed from the body), if there is any suspicion of a blood clot in a blood vessel, tumours, congenital malformations and for procedures like the Doppler analysis.

Are there any complications of the procedure?

A sonography does not use any kind of radiation (unlike an X-ray) and has not been found to cause any kind of complications or side effects.

What will it feel like?

When you go for a sonography the sonographer (technician) will first apply a conducting gel the gel helps eliminate any air bubbles between the skin and the transducer and helps sound waves enter the skin more efficiently on the area that has to be tested and then place the tranducer on it. The transducer can emit and receive sound waves and acts like a loudspeaker (you will not be able to hear any noise, since the frequency of the sound waves is greater than those that the human ear can hear) that sends high frequency sound waves into the area. These sound waves then bounce back from the internal organs, and forms an image on a computer screen that is in front of the technician. This image shows any kind of deformity in the organ, tissue or blood vessel.

You will not feel any kind of pain or discomfort unless the transducer is placed on a spot that is sore.

Are there any dos and don'ts before and after the procedure?

Depending on the type of organ being tested your doctor might ask you not to eat or drink anything (like in an abdominal sonography) and in some cases you may also be asked to drink a lot of water (like in the case of pelvic ultrasound, a first trimester sonography, endovaginal sonography). In the case of a colour Doppler test, a radioactive dye may be injected to help the technician see the organ better.

• You will be asked to change into a hospital gown before the procedure so remember to wear clothes that are easy to change out of.
• Depending on the area to be tested you will be asked to remove any jeweller from the area, make sure you store them safely before the procedure.
• Do take some tissue with you since you may have to wipe off any excess gel left on the area that was tested.

Most importantly, make sure you talk to your doctor and find out about any medication you might have to stop before the procedure and about any concerns you might have.

You might also like to read:

• 8 tests for checking if your kidneys are functioning fine
• Why is a fetal echocardiography necessary?
• What is an anomaly scan?
• Is your baby at the risk of Down's syndrome?

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