Ultrasound doctor

An ultrasound doctor performs an ultrasound examination of the human body using special equipment. Diagnostics involves the use of methods used and permitted in medical practice.

When should you see an ultrasound doctor?

During pregnancy, ultrasound examination is prescribed in the following cases:

• when it is necessary to clarify the gestational age (in situations where a cesarean section, labor induction, or artificial abortion is required);
• if it is necessary to assess how the fetus is developing (when there are risk factors that intrauterine growth retardation and macrosomia are possible: the presence of severe preeclampsia, long-term arterial hypertension, chronic renal failure and severe diabetes mellitus);
• in the presence of bleeding in the genitals in pregnant women;
• Ultrasound examination helps to determine how the fetus is positioned in the final stages of gestation, when this cannot be determined using other methods during labor;
• when multiple pregnancy is suspected (if the heartbeat of at least two fetuses is heard, with the fundal height exceeding the gestational age, and also if the pregnancy followed ovulation induction);
• if the size of the uterus does not correspond to the period of gestation, an ultrasound examination can be used to determine the gestational age and prevent oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios;
• when the presence of a volumetric formation is observed, which was revealed during a vaginal examination;
• if a hydatidiform mole is suspected, and arterial hypertension, proteinuria, ovarian cysts are observed, if there is no heartbeat of the unborn baby (if the pregnancy period is more than twelve weeks during a Doppler examination);
• if there is isthmic-cervical insufficiency. Ultrasound examination allows to control the condition of the cervix, determine the right time when it will be possible to apply a circular suture;
• when there is a suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy or a high risk that this pathology may develop;
• if there is a suspicion that the fetus may die;
• when they resort to the use of invasive research methods - fetoscopy, intrauterine blood transfusion, cordocentesis, chorionic biopsy, amniocentesis;
• if there is a suspicion that there is a pathology of the uterus (in case of uterine fibroids, its bifurcation, when it is bicornuate);
• when it is necessary to check the position of the intrauterine contraceptive device;
• Ultrasound is used to observe the growth of an ovarian follicle;
• to assess the biophysical profile of the future baby during the period of gestation of more than twenty-eight weeks (if intrauterine hypoxia is suspected);
• during various manipulations during childbirth, for example, when the second fetus of twins is turned and needs to be removed correctly;
• when oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios are suspected;
• when it is suspected that premature placental abruption has occurred;
• during external rotation of the fetus during breech presentation;
• if it is necessary to determine the weight of the child during premature rupture of membranes, and when premature birth occurs;
• when high levels of alpha-fetoprotein are observed in the pregnant woman's serum. In this case, ultrasound is used to determine the gestational age, as well as to rule out multiple pregnancies, anencephaly, and the death of one of the fetuses;
• in order to assess previously diagnosed developmental defects in the future baby;
• in case of congenital defects in the development of the baby;
• to assess how the fetuses are developing (if we are dealing with a multiple pregnancy);
• if it is necessary to determine the gestational age when a woman has consulted a doctor late.

Routine ultrasound diagnostic examinations are performed in order to:

• identify structural changes in organs and tissues;
• to clarify pathological conditions that had previously been identified using other methods;
• determine the nature of pathological processes;
• determine the topical origin of pathological processes;
• to determine how widespread the pathological process is;
• work out indications for other diagnoses that are more difficult to investigate;
• perform percutaneous aspiration biopsy with ultrasound guidance;
• to control how effective the treatment is;
• to examine the condition of the blood vessels.

An urgent ultrasound examination is prescribed:

• if there is a suspicion of bleeding (internal);
• for acute pain syndromes;
• in case of acute jaundice (to conduct an ultrasound examination, it is additionally necessary to do blood tests for the hepatitis virus);
• if acute vascular thrombosis is suspected.

What tests should you take when visiting an ultrasound doctor?

Ultrasound examination is usually prescribed by the attending physician for a specific purpose. In order for the examination to be more effective, it is important to comply with certain conditions.

The ultrasound doctor will require the patient to provide information on the preliminary examination by the attending physician and data on the preliminary examination (medical history, extract from it, description of the preliminary examination).

When performing an ultrasound examination of female pelvic organs – the uterus, appendages, and bladder – data from a preliminary gynecological examination is required.

When performing an ultrasound examination of the male pelvic organs – the prostate gland, bladder – a preliminary examination by a urologist is required, as well as the results of blood tests for PSA.

In order for an ultrasound doctor to perform an ultrasound diagnosis, the patient must obtain clearly formulated and substantiated instructions in writing from the attending physician.

What organs does the ultrasound doctor examine?

An ultrasound doctor performs diagnostics of the abdominal cavity, thyroid gland, pelvis, kidneys, prostate, and mammary glands.

Ultrasound examination of the human body is a visualization method that creates a realistic picture of the condition of the patient's internal organs.

The essence of this method is that the human body is “enlightened” with ultrasound. Ultrasound is conducted differently by different tissues of the human body. For example, it is impossible to examine the brain with ultrasound – it is protected by the cranium, which does not conduct ultrasound. There is also no ultrasound examination of the lungs, since the air in them contributes to the dispersion of these waves. There are also hollow organs, and the tissues that are behind them are also difficult to “see”.

What diagnostic methods does an ultrasound doctor use?

The main diagnostic methods in the work of an ultrasound doctor are:

• transabdominal ultrasound examination;
• transrectal ultrasound examination;
• transvaginal ultrasound examination;
• ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity;
• ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland;
• ultrasound examination of the pelvis;
• ultrasound examination of the pelvis in females;
• ultrasound examination of the kidneys;
• ultrasound examination of the prostate;
• ultrasound examination during pregnancy;
• ultrasound examination of the fetus in 3D;
• ultrasound examination of the mammary glands;
• ultrasound examination of the vascular system;
• echocardiography.

What does an ultrasound doctor do?

The ultrasound doctor carries out the necessary diagnostic studies, recommends methods by which a comprehensive examination of the patient is carried out (instrumental, functional, laboratory diagnostics). In addition, if necessary, the ultrasound doctor refers the patient to other doctors for consultation and treatment.

What diseases does an ultrasound doctor treat?

Methods of clinical application of ultrasound research methods find their place in the areas of:

• obstetrics;
• gynecology;
• abdominal studies;
• intraoperative studies;
• neonatal research;
• radiology;
• cardiology;
• oncology;
• emergency medicine.

Advice from an ultrasound doctor

Ultrasound doctors do not recommend this method to examine the condition of the brain in an adult. Although in infancy, when the cranial bones have not yet hardened, ultrasound can be effective and provide the necessary information.

Ultrasound examination is not used for examination of the lungs, but for the heart, this method is available in some body positions (when the sensor is directed from the abdomen or the jugular fossa on the neck). There are also methods when ultrasound examination resorts to the help of the esophagus, into which special equipment is inserted. But not all hospitals have the equipment needed for this method; most often, it is only available in specialized clinical centers.

The results of ultrasound examination provide an opportunity for reliable diagnostics of hip dysplasia in infancy. In such cases, it is also better to contact specialized centers, as their specialists work in this specific area. Ultrasound examination is good to use for diagnostics of various eye diseases. Of course, special equipment is used for this. Ultrasound doctors do not recommend frequent use of ultrasound diagnostics during pregnancy, unless there are good reasons for this, but simply out of curiosity. The methodology of ultrasound examination is effective in diagnosing diseases associated with intervertebral discs.

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