Ultrasound & Guided Injection
What is an ultrasound scan?
An ultrasound scan is a non-invasive procedure that takes images of the scanned area using high-frequency sound waves. The purpose of this scan is to take a look into the internal structure and movement of your body’s organs, as well as the flow of blood through your blood vessels, all without the use of radiation found in X-rays.
During an ultrasound examination, a Radiologist or Sonographer will move a small hand-held sensor over the requested area to view the organ from different angles; the images are displayed on a monitor screen and saved for reporting. These images can then be used for diagnosis and treatment purposes.
Our ultrasound examinations
An Ultrasound examination offers a look into the internal structure and movement of your body’s organs, as well as the flow of blood through your blood vessels, all without the use of radiation found in X-rays.Here are some of the ways that we use ultrasound examinations:
Prices for ultrasound examinations at our medical centres start from £230. Please note that prices will be specific to the type of ultrasound scan that is required.
Need more information?
If you have any questions on ultrasound treatment we are here to help?
Upon booking an Ultrasound appointment our specialist team will walk you through everything that you will need to carry out from start to finish, including post treatment instructions.
We have created a frequently asked questions section for this treatment to help with any common general questions that come up.
If you still have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact our team on the details below or to book an appointment click the link below.
If your scan appears in the following table, you will be required to follow the following preparation to help improve the quality of the images produced. Fasting Required:
- Abdomen
- Gallbladder
- Aorta
- Liver
Full Bladder Required
- Kidneys
- Urinary Tract
- Pelvis
- Bladder
- Gynae
- Renal Tract
Fasting: You are unable to eat food for 6 hours prior to the scan. Water is permitted, though warm drinks (tea/coffee) are to be consumed without sugar or milk. If you take regular medication, continue to do so with water. Please notify us if you are diabetic, we will do our best to accommodate you with an appointment early in the day.
Full bladder required: Begin drinking water an hour prior to your appointment and keep a full bladder prior to your appointment.
A small device called an ultrasound probe is used, which emits high-frequency sound waves. You cannot hear these sound waves, but when they bounce off different parts of the body, they create “echoes” that the probe picks up and converts into a moving image. A water-based gel will be applied to your skin over the area to be scanned.
This gel allows the sensor to slide easily over the skin and helps to produce clearer pictures. The radiologist will examine the images on the screen and write a report, which will be sent to your referring clinician. Your GP may also access this report.
The Procedure Should Take Less Than 30 Minutes And Is Painless.
Once the local anesthetic wears off, there may be a short period of increased discomfort until the steroid fully takes effect. Due to this procedure, your car insurance company will not insure you for the rest of the day; therefore, you may need to arrange for someone to drive you home.
Post-injection, it is recommended that you:
- Rest for the remainder of the day as this will allow the steroid to act fully on the intended area.
- Build up slowly to normal activities over the next few days and maintain any physiotherapy.
- Keep a pain diary over the next two weeks to help your clinician determine the success of the steroid injection when you next see them in the clinic.
There are no known risks from the sound waves used in an ultrasound scan, as they do not expose you to ionising radiation – you are free to go home after the scan is finished.
- Yes, but visitors may only enter the examination room in special circumstances (for health and safety reasons).
- There should be no discomfort during the scan. If you find positioning or the procedure uncomfortable, please tell a member of staff.
- If you think you could be pregnant, please inform a member of staff.