Ultrasound Scan

This is a specialised procedure that uses sound waves to obtain information about the structure and functions of the different organs within the body. X-rays are not used in this examination.

Preparation

Preparation before the scan is very important to ensure that a complete and accurate examination can be carried out. If you are on any prescribed medications, please continue your medications as directed by your physician. If you are a diabetic and you are on food restriction, you may continue your basal insulin but stop your pre-meal insulin/oral diabetes medication during the 5-hour fasting period. If you are unsure about your insulin adjustments when fasting, do consult your diabetes doctor or diabetes nurse educator. You can resume your usual medications during your next meal. Please refrain from smoking on the day of appointment.

Abdominal Ultrasound Scans

Food restriction is necessary for at least 5 hours before the appointment, i.e.:

• No breakfast before your morning appointment or
• No lunch before your afternoon appointment but a light breakfast before 7.00a.m. is allowed
  If your child is coming for an abdominal ultrasound:
  • If your child is less than 1 year old, skip one feed before the appointment.
  • If your child is less than 6 years old, do not eat or drink for 4 hours before the examination
• Plain water is allowed during the fasting period.    

Pelvis/bladder/prostate ultrasound scans

• No restriction on food or drinks is necessary;
• Please drink 2 large glasses of water 1 hour before your appointment and do not empty your bladder till the examination is over.

Neck/chest/kidneys/others ultrasound scan

No preparation is required.

On Arrival

You may be required to change into a hospital gown. A locker will be provided for your belongings, but please keep your valuables at home.

The Ultrasound Examination

In the examination room, you will be asked to lie on the examination couch. A thick gel will be applied to your body over the region to be examined. This gel helps the sound waves travel through your body. It is water-based and will not stain your clothes. The radiologist or radiographer will then scan the region using a transducer, which produces the sound waves, by moving it over your body. 

The whole examination will last about half an hour to one hour, depending on the part of the body being examined. There should be no pain or discomfort during the whole examination.

Due to the nature of our work, some examinations may take longer than anticipated and we may not be able to keep strictly to schedule.

If you have any questions about the examination, do not hesitate to ask the radiologist/radiographer attending to you.

After the scan, you may resume normal activities.

Results of the Examination

The radiologist will review the images and report the findings to your physician, who will then discuss the results with you on your next appointment.

Possible Risks

For standard diagnostic ultrasound, there are no known harmful effects on humans.

Limitations

Ultrasound has difficulty penetrating bone and therefore can only show the outer surface of bony structures and not what lies within. Ultrasound waves do not pass through air; therefore, an evaluation of the stomach, small intestine and large intestine may be limited. Intestinal gas may also prevent visualisation of deeper structures such as the pancreas and aorta. 

Patients with obesity are more difficult to image, as body tissue can weaken the sound waves as they travel deeper into the body.