Ultrasound was introduced into clinical medicine in the late 1950's. We currently use equipment called real-time scanners, which provide a continuous moving picture. A transducer emits very high Frequency sound waves, which are reflected back from surfaces (Figure 4.1). The reflected beam is detected and can be seen on a monitor screen. Ultrasound is safe, cost effective, non-invasive and an accurate technique for evaluating the internal reproductive organs in gynaecology and the fetus during pregnancy. Many gynaecological and early pregnancy ultrasound examinations are undertaken with a small vaginal transducer, which can be placed close to the uterus and ovaries: this is known as a transvaginal or internal scan.
Ultrasound examination can demonstrate structural abnormalities such as fibroids and ovarian cysts. For patients with infertility problems, ultrasound provides information on oocyte (egg) development and in IVF the eggs are collected under direct ultrasound visualisation (24). Ultrasound may provide reassurance about the endometrium in patients with postmenopausal bleeding reducing the requirement for invasive investigation of the uterus (17). Breast ultrasound examination has a role to play in screening women under the age of 40 and also supplements mammography (Q32.35).
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Figure 4.1 Pelvic Ultrasound.
In pregnancy, ultrasound provides:
- essential information on the dating of the pregnancy.
- assessment of bleeding in early pregnancy.
- detection of ectopic pregnancy.
- early detection of multiple pregnancy.
assistance in the diagnosis of some congenital foetal abnormalities including:
- Down syndrome.
- The spina bifida group.
- Heart.
- Skeleton.
- an indication of the site of the placenta and the growth rate of the fetus in later pregnancy.
Forty years of experience with ultrasound in pregnancy has shown that it is remarkably safe.
Related Medical Abstracts - Click on the paper title:-
- Effects of repeated prenatal ultrasound examinations on childhood outcome up to 8 years of age: follow-up of a randomised controlled trial. (2004-01)
- Routine ultrasound screening in pregnancy and the children's subsequent neurologic development. (1998-01)
- Routine ultrasound screening in pregnancy and the children's subsequent growth, vision and hearing. (1997-01)
- Diagnostic X-ray and ultrasound exposure and risk of childhood cancer. (1994-01)
- Routine ultrasonography in utero and speech development. (1994-02)
- Routine ultrasonography in utero and school performance at age 8-9 years. (1992-01)
Please click on the required question.
- 1 Which doctor should I see?
- 2 What are symptoms and signs?
- 3 How can we be certain whether an abnormality that my doctor has found is the cause of my problem or an incidental finding?
- 4 How do doctors arrive at a diagnosis?
- 5 What does a gynaecologist do during a consultation?
- 6 What is the purpose of the pelvic examination?
- 7 Will a blood test to assess a hormone level provide a guide to treatment.
- 8 I have a phobia about blood tests. What should I do?
- 9 What is pelvic ultrasound?
- 10 What are CAT and MRI scans?
- 11 Will my general practitioner receive information from my specialist gynaecologist?
- 12 Will I see the same specialist every time I attend the out-patients clinic?
- 13 What is known about emotion. Information?
- 14 Could my emotional problems be of hormonal origin?
- 15 Does my doctor understand my anxieties and concerns about my gynaecological problem?
- 16 How much information do patients want about their condition?
- 17 Will the doctor listen to my views on how my problems should be managed?
- 18 How do doctors decide on the best treatment?
- 19 How do doctors decide on the best hormone treatment?
- 20 How long will my hormone treatment be effective?
- 21 What are the risks of surgery?
- 22 How long do gynaecological operations take?
- 23 Have there been advances in gynaecological surgical treatment?
- 24 I have been offered a choice of treatments. How can I decide which will be best for me?
- 25 What is the place of support groups?
- 26 Where can I obtain more information?
- 27 Are there any dangers in acquiring health information on the internet?
- 28 Support Groups.
Thank you for choosing to visit us.
This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.
