Ultrasound is a method of creating images of the inside of the body using sound waves. The procedure is painless and involves very little discomfort. It is also a cost-effective way to obtain images of the inside of the body.

The procedure is usually performed by an ultrasound technician. They will apply a gel to the area being scanned to help the sound waves pass easily through the skin. A smooth handpiece known as a transducer is then moved across the area, and the images are displayed on a screen.

Ultrasound can be used on almost any part of the body. However, because sound waves do not move efficiently through bone, it is not effective for imaging structures inside the skull. Additionally, the images obtained by ultrasound are not as detailed as those produced by other imaging techniques, such as MRI or CT scans. Despite this, ultrasounds are quick, inexpensive, and can provide valuable diagnostic information.

Ultrasound imaging can help doctors identify the source of a patient’s symptoms. For example, ultrasounds are commonly used in women with pelvic pain to investigate potential causes. The ultrasound may reveal cysts, fibroids, or other issues contributing to the pain. Based on the appearance of a tissue mass on the ultrasound, a doctor can determine whether a biopsy is necessary.

One common use of ultrasound is to evaluate whether a concerning lump is potentially cancerous and requires a biopsy. Ultrasound can help differentiate between a cyst (a fluid-filled sac) and a solid mass. While cysts are very common in certain areas of the body, such as the breasts and ovaries, a solid mass in these areas is more likely to be cancerous.

A specialized technique called Doppler ultrasound is used to measure blood flow in specific blood vessels. This technique uses a physical principle known as the Doppler effect, which describes how the frequency of waves changes when an object moves past an observer. Doppler ultrasound allows health care providers to detect whether blood is stagnating in a particular blood vessel. The experience of having a Doppler ultrasound is no different from any other type of ultrasound.

In some cases, both a Doppler ultrasound and a regular ultrasound are performed simultaneously. This is known as a duplex ultrasound, which allows doctors to assess blood flow and structural images of tissues in the same procedure.

Ultrasounds are also very commonly used in pregnancy to assess conditions of both the mother and the baby. This type of Ultrasound is captured in a separate service package.