Ultrasound Explained

6. Who Might Need an Ultrasound?

Ultrasound scans diagnose and assess a vast range of medical conditions. There are very few organs that are not suitable for scanning by ultrasound. The method can also help in the investigation of symptoms such as pain, infections, and swelling. Ultrasound scanning can help assess trauma patients to determine the extent of injury to organs and whether there are collections of blood in the abdomen. Ultrasound scanning can investigate gastrointestinal issues by imaging the abdominal organs. For people with conditions of the lungs, ultrasound may help identify abnormalities or guide procedures such as biopsies or the insertion of chest drainage tubes.

The wide spectrum of use of ultrasound scans means that many people, at some time, will benefit from their use.