Ultrasonography (USG)

Preparing for an ultrasound scan can vary depending on which part or organ of the body is to be examined.

No special preparation is needed for ultrasonography of the thyroid gland, lymph nodes, salivary glands.

Preparation for abdominal (abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space) ultrasonography:

• refrain from eating fresh vegetables and fruit and vegetable and fruit juices for two days before the procedure;
• not eat for at least four hours before the test;
• only still water should be consumed on the day of the test;
• all prescribed medicines may be taken.

Preparing for uultrasonography of the tract, urinary tract, bladder, kidneys and prostate:

• drink about one litre of fluid one hour before the test and go to the test with a full bladder. You must not drink fizzy drinks (mineral water, fizzy lemonades, etc.);
• preferably, the last urination should be about three hours before the test.

An ultrasound scan is a fairly simple and painless procedure. Technically, it may vary slightly depending on which part of the body is being examined.

At the start of the examination, you should lie down on the examination bed, exposing the part of the body to be examined. The doctor applies a transparent gel to it, which improves the transmission of sound waves between the ultrasound device and the skin. The doctor passes an ultrasound probe, which emits ultrasound waves, over the area of the body to be examined. The probe transmits the information to a special computer program. It gives the doctor a clear view of the area to be examined an image viewed in real time and measurements or images of certain internal organs are assessed.

The test can be carried out as needed and in unlimited numbers, and lasts about 20-30 minutes.

Results can be obtained immediately after the test.