Information for Patients
Ninewells Hospital & Medical School
Dundee DD1 9SY
Open Monday to
Friday, 9 am to 5 pm
Tel. 01382 632966 (direct line)
|
X-Ray Department Information for Patients |
| X-Ray Unit Ninewells Hospital & Medical School Dundee DD1 9SY |
Open Monday to
Friday, 9 am to 5 pm |
Ultrasound Scan
What is a Ultrasound scan?
This is an examination of the internal organs of the body using sound waves. No X-rays are used, which makes the scan very safe.
If we are looking at the thyroid, your scan will be of the neck area. If we are looking at your adrenal glands, we will scan your abdomen. Your official appointment leaflet will tell you which scan we will give you.
Click here to see an image of an
ultrasound machine.
If you are having neck scan
There will usually be no preparation.
If you are having an abdomen scan in the morning
The evening before your scan, eat a light meal. Avoid gassy food gassy food and drink e.g. green vegetables, fresh fruit, beans, fatty foods, salads and fizzy drinks.
Eat nothing after 10 pm. You may drink liquids freely, but do not drink milk, even in tea or coffee.
If you are having an abdomen scan in the afternoon
On the morning of your scan, eat a light breakfast (toast and water). Eat nothing after this. You may drink liquids freely, but do not drink milk, even in tea or coffee.
On Arrival in the Department.
A member of staff will meet you and take you to the ultrasound changing room where you may be asked to undress and put on a hospital gown.
During the scan
You will lie on an examination table. In order to see the images on the TV monitor, the lighting will be dimmer than normal.
Sound waves do not travel easily through air, we will put a gel onto the area of your body we are examining. We will pass a probe over the gel to perform the scan.
The doctor may ask you to hold your breath or move into different positions.
Click here to see examples of
ultrasound scans.
After your examination
The nurse or radiographer will clean the gel off your body. It may feel slightly sticky but will not damage your clothes. You will then be free to dress and go home.
Links to other pages
General
Information
about Radiology
Ó NHS Tayside; 2006; version 1.0
Disclaimer; no liability whatsoever is accepted for information given and all such information, especially with regard to drug usage (UK version provided), must be checked with a person’s health provider.