What is Ultrasound?

An ultrasound scan is a test that involves taking pictures of the body using sound waves. Ultrasound can be used to look at all soft tissue structures and blood vessels. Pulses of ultrasound are sent through the skin into your body which then echo (‘bounce back’) from the various parts of the body, creating an image. The scan is carried out by a radiologist or ultrasonographer and the images are recorded and interpreted in order to make a diagnosis.

General ultrasound*

The following are signs and symptoms which are best investigated using ultrasound:

Small body parts
• Neck mass
• Salivary gland obstruction or mass
• Thyroid nodule
• Scrotal mass or pain

Abdomen
• Jaundice
• Suspected gall bladder disease
• Abnormal LFTs – enlarged liver

Musculoskeletal
• Synovitis or tendonitis – hand, ankle, Achilles tendon, patella
• Painful shoulder – rotator cuff, impingement and supraspinatus tear

Gynaecological – Pelvic and TVS if necessary
• Post menopausal bleeding
• Pelvic pain/mass
• Dysmenorhoea/amenorhoea
• Possible endometriosis
• Lost IUCD
• Possible polycycstic ovaries

Urinary tract (to include transrectal if necessary)
• Renal failure
• Renal mass
• Suspected Adreneal tumour
• Urinary frequency
• Urinary retention
• Prostatism
• Recurrent UTIs
• Bladder outlet obstruction
• Possible bladder or renal calculi

Vascular Ultrasound**

We offer vascular and non vascular ultrasound. The technique is cost effective, non-invasive and the modality is free of ionising radiation. Access to vascular ultrasound has vastly improved pre-operative assessment and postoperative follow-up of vascular surgery patients. In addition to this, many patients from other specialities require assessment and screening for suspected vascular conditions.

The following are signs and symptoms which are best investigated using vascular ultrasound:

• TIA/Stroke
• Varicose veins
• Suspected DVT
• Limb ischaemia
• Claudication
• Limb swelling
• Asymptomatic carotid bruit
• Suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm

* General ultrasound is offered at InHealth Central London, Cornwall House Clinic and via the London NHS Diagnostic Service.
** Vascular Investigation is offered at our Vincent Medical Vascular Laboratory which is located at University College London Hospital.