Diagnostic medical sonography or diagnostic ultrasound is a branch of medical imaging which uses a transducer, a high-frequency sound wave, to produce anatomy images of the body. These medical images are extremely valuable in diagnosing and treating various illnesses, diseases and conditions. Ultrasounds are quick, easy and painless, and do not include radiation.

Reflected sound waves are used to image the soft tissues of your body. Ultrasound can be used to image the abdomen, pelvis (including obstetrics and genecology), blood vessels and musculoskeletal soft tissues. Ultrasound is an extremely safe and painless procedure.

Scanning may take up to 1 hour but generally most appointments are for 20–30 minutes. Ultrasound examinations are carried out and interpreted by a radiologist (a doctor trained in reading X-rays and ultrasounds) and a sonographer (a technologist trained in ultrasound imaging).

Often your radiologist will speak with you while viewing the ultrasound screen – this is quite routine and should not cause alarm. The images are then interpreted by the radiologist and the results are forwarded directly to your doctor.

Ultrasounds do not use radiation. Instead, they use high-frequency sound waves (much higher than human ears can hear), which are produced by the ultrasound probe (transducer). The reflected sound waves are detected by the probe and used to create an image, which is displayed on the monitor of the ultrasound machine.

Sometimes ultrasounds are used in interventional procedures. They are most commonly used to guide a needle into an area for administering cortisone – to reduce inflammation or drain fluid from a joint – or even during a biopsy.

For better diagnosis and to aid in the management of your condition, you have been referred to Tottenham Diagnostic Imaging.