Ultrasound is a diagnostic technique that uses high-frequency sound waves, called ultrasound, to obtain images of the body’s internal organs. The ultrasound, which is inaudible to the human ear, bounces off tissues and returns to the ultrasound scanner’s probe, where a computer processes the signals to generate anatomical images. At Vein Clinic Brescia, modern ultrasound scanners are used that, in addition to traditional two-dimensional images, allow three-dimensional images to be acquired and organ vascularisation to be analysed using colour Doppler.
The Vein Clinic Brescia has a fixed ultrasound scanner, the SAMSUNG HS50, and a portable ultrasound scanner, SONDA WI-FI ATL with iPad, to also perform ultrasound scans at home. The ultrasound scanner consists of a central console with computer, monitor and probes connected by cables. During the examination, a specific gel is used to improve ultrasound transmission between the probe and the skin, resulting in sharp images that can be printed on paper or film.
With ultrasound, numerous internal organs can be examined, including the thyroid gland, kidneys, heart, liver, pancreas, spleen, uterus, ovaries, testicles and bladder. Through colour Doppler, blood vessels can also be studied to detect changes in flow, narrowing, tumours or congenital malformations. The ultrasound examination is a versatile and effective diagnostic tool used in many areas of medicine.
During the ultrasound scan, the patient is placed on a couch and the doctor applies gel to the area to be examined. The probe is slid over the skin or, in some cases, inserted into body cavities (as in transrectal or transvaginal ultrasound). Although some procedures may cause discomfort, the examination is generally well tolerated. The main advantages of ultrasound scanning are that it is harmless, can be repeated without risk, can be performed in real time and can be used to guide invasive procedures with extreme precision.