ULTRASOUND

Ultrasound is a painless examination that uses a probe that emits high frequency sound waves high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to visualize the internal organs of the human body of the human body: Liver, Gallbladder, Kidneys, Spleen, Bladder, Thyroid, Muscles, Veins and Arteries.

 

Advantages of ultrasound:

  • Ultrasound is not irradiating (unlike X-rays, scans, scintigraphies..)
  • Ultrasound is completely painless and non-invasive for the patient
  • Ultrasound is one of the only real-time imaging techniques
  • There are no allergies or contraindications to ultrasound
  • Ultrasound is an inexpensive medical imaging technique (especially compared to MRI, CT scan…)
  • How does the examination take place?

How does the examination take place?

The doctor applies a small amount of heated gel to the patient’s skin. The role of the gel is to help the transmission of ultrasound. The examination is performed using the probe, which is a small instrument belonging to the ultrasound machine. The probe is applied to the skin and the doctor moves it in a way to obtain the best and most complete image possible. The maneuver is completely painless. During the examination, the patient is asked to change his or her position in order to obtain images and information on various organs.

Risks of ultrasound?

To date there are no reported risks of ultrasound.

What diseases can be detected by ultrasound?

  • Abdominal ultrasound:
    1. Liver: cirrhosis, benign and malignant tumors, steatosis, cysts
    2. Gallbladder: cholecystitis, stones, polyps
    3. Aorta: aneurysm of the aorta
    4. Kidneys: stones, cysts, benign and malignant tumors, congenital malformations, pyelonephritis (infection)
    5. Spleen: splenomegaly (leukemia, lymphoma, chronic infections…)
    6. Bladder: urinary globe
    7. Ascites…
  • Thyroid ultrasound:
    1. Cysts
    2. Nodules
    3. Benign and malignant tumors
    4. Adenopathies
    5. Hyper/Hypofunction…
  • Venous ultrasound-doppler:
    1. Deep vein thrombosis / Phlebitis
    2. Varicose veins
    3. Venous insufficiency…
  • Arterial Doppler ultrasound:
    1. Carotid stenosis
    2. Atheromatous plaques
    3. Aneurysm…
  • Muscle ultrasound:
    1. Elongation
    2. Tear
    3. Rupture
    4. Hematoma
    5. Tendinopathy
    6. Cysts, Bursitis …

 

Dr Jean-Luc Weber

DIU of General Abdominal Ultrasound, Paris Descartes
DIU of Vascular Doppler Ultrasound (arteries and veins), Paris Descartes
IUD in Thyroid Ultrasound, Paris Descartes
DIU in Muscular Ultrasound, Paris Descartes