Ultrasound uses sound waves to build a moving picture of the inside of the body. There is no radiation, no needle and no discomfort beyond gentle pressure. Our on-site service provides imaging for a broad range of diagnostic needs, abdominal, pelvic, musculoskeletal and vascular among them. You receive a formal report and the chance to discuss the findings with your clinician.
What ultrasound is used for
- Abdomen: the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen and kidneys, for example for pain under the ribs or suspected gallstones
- Pelvis: the womb and ovaries, or the bladder and prostate, for pain, bleeding or urinary symptoms
- Muscles, tendons and joints: shoulders, elbows, hands, hips, knees and ankles, for sprains, tears and inflammation
- Blood vessels: the veins of the leg where a clot is suspected, or the arteries of the neck
- Lumps: in the neck, thyroid, groin, testicle or soft tissue, to see what they are made of
What happens
You lie on a couch, a clear gel is spread on the skin and the sonographer moves a small hand-held probe over the area. The gel is cool and wipes off; the probe may press on a tender spot for a moment. Some pelvic scans give a clearer picture with a slim internal probe, which is always explained and offered, never assumed, and you can ask for a chaperone. A scan usually takes between fifteen and thirty minutes.
Preparing for your scan
- Abdominal scan: nothing to eat for about six hours beforehand, water only, so that the gallbladder is full and bowel gas does not hide the view
- Pelvic scan through the abdomen: a full bladder, which means drinking about a litre of water an hour beforehand and not emptying it
- Muscle, joint, vascular and lump scans: no preparation, but wear clothes that let the area be reached easily
We confirm what applies to you when you book.
Your results
The images are reviewed and a formal written report is issued, which you can share with your GP or consultant. What a scan shows is one part of the picture, read alongside your symptoms and any other tests. If the report raises a question that needs a different scan, such as CT or MRI, or a consultant's opinion, a referral can be arranged.
Common questions
Is ultrasound safe? Yes. It has been used for decades, in pregnancy among other things, and has no known harmful effects at diagnostic levels.
Do I need a referral? A scan is most useful when it answers a clear question. If you do not have a referral, start with a GP appointment, where the right scan can be chosen.
Can ultrasound see everything? No. It does not show bone or air-filled organs such as the lungs and bowel well. The clinician will say when another test would tell you more.
