Sonography
Sonography, also referred to as ultrasound or ultrasonography, is the technique that utilizes technological tools and uses high frequency sound waves to create internal images of the body. It helps doctors to diagnose the disorder in the body by examining internal structures of the body carefully. This sonographic technology has been used since the 1950’s allowing healthcare professionals to see into your body without surgery.
How and where does Sonography work?
Sonography works on the principle of sound waves reflection, these sound waves are of higher frequency. Frequency of these sound waves is above the range of 20000 Hz, which are emitted by the device called transducer. These waves are absorbed by the body and bounce on the internal body parts like tissues, organs, blood vessels and convert into reflected waves. These reflected waves are then converted into real time high resolution images that help doctors to identify internal conditions of the body without performing surgeries.
How and where does Sonography work?
Sonography works on the principle of sound waves reflection, these sound waves are of higher frequency. Frequency of these sound waves is above the range of 20000 Hz, which are emitted by the device called transducer. These waves are absorbed by the body and bounce on the internal body parts like tissues, organs, blood vessels and convert into reflected waves. These reflected waves are then converted into real time high resolution images that help doctors to identify internal conditions of the body without performing surgeries.
Sonography is works in following cases :-
Monitoring unborn baby in pregnancy:
Since traditional times Sonography is used to detect movement of the baby inside the mothers womb. Not only movements but growth of the body is also monitored. In most of the cases the baby is monitored for health and development like babies can have abnormalities which are detected in the sonography itself. Position and size of baby, placenta and uterus can be monitored for any abnormal condition during pregnancy. Use of sonography has brought a high pace of success rate in pregnancies in India.
Biopsy procedures:
In biopsy a certain portion of the tissue is removed from the body for detection for the presence of any cancer causing agent or infection that is causing diseased and weak immune conditions in the body. An ultrasound can detect the abnormal area in the body and guide the needle to be placed at the right place to collect the sample.
Diagnosis of various medical conditions:
Ultrasounds helps to detect signs and symptoms of the problems that are present internally in the body parts like tissues, organs, vessels and find out ways to treat them.
Types of sonography:
Sonography done on the basis of different body parts,
1.Abdominal sonography
This is the most common type of ultrasound used to examine the organs in the abdomen such as liver, gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas, and spleen by making smaller incisions if required. This sonography helps in diagnosis of conditions like gall bladder stones, kidney stones, liver disease and certain cancers.
- Pelvic Ultrasound
Focuses on reproductive organs in men and women like penis, scrotum, vagina uterus. It helps in detection of sexually transmitted diseases. In Women it evaluates the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes (e.g., for fibroids, cysts, or pregnancy) and in Men it assesses the prostate and bladder for presence of any disorder.
- Obstetric Ultrasound
Monitors pregnancy and fetal developmental stages to ensure safe and healthy pregnancy so as mother and baby is safe. It is used to confirm pregnancy and fetal heartbeat, minor fetal growth, position, and organ development, detect complications like ectopic pregnancies or multiple pregnancies
- Breast Ultrasound
Evaluates abnormalities in breast tissue, comparing with healthy breast tissues and mammary glands. Used to differentiate between solid lumps and fluid-filled cysts that can even be a sign of cancer in many cases, Complements mammography for detailed imaging.
- Cardiac Ultrasound (Echocardiography)
Examines the heart’s structure and function to determine heart accurate functionality.
Diagnoses heart valve issues, blood clots, or congenital heart defects. Monitors cardiac function during treatment, and gives indications that helps to prevent infection.
- Doppler Ultrasound
Measures blood flow and blood pressure through vessels, helps to determine accurate blood pressure levels to determine its high or low.
– Types of Doppler ultrasound :
- Color Doppler: Visualizes blood flow using color mapping.
- Spectral Doppler: Provides graphs of blood flow velocity.
- Power Doppler: Offers enhanced visualization of small vessels. Used to detect blood clots, blockages, or vascular conditions.
- Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid ultrasound examines the thyroid gland for abnormalities. Used to Identify nodules, cysts, or signs of thyroid disorders.
- Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
Assesses muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. Used in Diagnosis of tears, inflammation, or joint abnormalities mostly used in accidental cases that have harmed bones.
- Transvaginal Ultrasound
Provides a closer view of female pelvic organs. It Detects issues like ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, or early pregnancy complications.
- Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS)
Examines the prostate gland and rectum and Diagnoses prostate cancer, inflammation, or enlargement.
Why to do sonography?
Sonography gives real time images of internal body parts without surgery and incisions on the body. This process is entirely superficial without involving cuts or wounds to the body. It is a minimally invasive procedure because it does not involve any recovery time or incision on the body part.
Sonography is a safe method because it uses sound waves rather than X Rays or other radiations that can harm the mother as well as the child.
Sonography provides real time imaging which is the valuable step in guiding doctors to detect and treat the defeated area in the body.
Sonography is less expensive than other imaging modalities like CT scan and MRI, so it’s easily accessible to common people.
Sonography is relatively compact and portable compared to CT scan and MRI machines.
Conclusion :
Nowadays AI is merging into ultrasound techniques to give more reliable and accurate results in less time. Sonography has become an indispensable tool in modern medicine. It is a modern, environment friendly, safe and economic option for detecting various physical abnormalities as well as healthy medical conditions in the human body. Researchers India is putting on efforts to make ultrasound techniques even more powerful tools to enhance patient care and treatment outcomes.
