Merits of ultrasonography.
- The most important advantage of
ultrasonography is that it is non-invasive method of examination of internal structures of
body.Other diagnostic methods like X-ray and computed tomography make use of radiation for
producing an image. But in ultrasonography, only sound waves are used, which have no
documented side effect on body tissues. In the light of presence knowledge therefore, it
seems that diagnostic ultrasound is safe for both operator and patient.
Ultrasonography can be very safely used in
case of pregnant patients. It is not the case with X-rays, because of fetal susceptibility
to ionizing radiation.
- In instances where radiography fails to
distinguish tissues of similar radiographic densities because of silhouette sign,
ultrasonography can often identify tissue/organ margins.
- Trans-rectal ultrasonic assessment of the
relative location of the genital tubercle (forerunner of penis & clitoris) with a 5.0
MHz transducer has been reported to be reliable technique for determining fetal gender.
- Colour Doppler techniques gives a good
picture of anatomy as well as the physiology of an organ. Any anomalies in the vascular
system of any organ can be visualized in colour and in real time for accurate diagnosis.
- Minimal preparation of patient is required.
The preparation generally required is to give adlib quantities of water prior to
examination. General anesthesia or sedation is usually not required. Patient tolerates the
procedure well.
- Ultrasound can be useful in certain cases
where exposing the patients to harmful X-rays or their contrast media can be life
threatening; e.g. in cases of parenchymal diseases of kidneys, the renal functions are
compromised. Excretory urography has its own limitations and may produce non-diagnostic
results. Ultrasonography is helpful in narrowing the spectrum of differential diagnosis.
- Ultrasonography can be used to guide needle
aspiration and biopsy of masses. The biopsy needle is highly echogenic and appears as a
bright line entering the mass. The tip of the needle can be guided to avoid necrotic
parts-which may not yield diagnostic material as well as adjacent structures such as blood
vessels.
- The introduction of high quality, moderately
priced portable diagnostic ultrasound units has lent its hand in increasing the popularity
and demand for ultrasonography.
PHYSICS OF ULTRASOUND| MERITS| LIMITATIONS| EYE| HEART| LIVER| SPLEEN| KIDNEY| BLADDER AND PROSTRATE| PANCREAS| GI TRACT| TESTIS| REPRODUCTION AND
OBSTETRICS
