During the ultrasound examination - also called sonography or echography - high-frequency ultrasound waves are used to display images. The ultrasonic waves sent into the body tissue are reflected differently by the tissue of different structures. The reflected sound waves are collected and measured; the computer finally generates an ultrasound image based on the time difference between the transmitted and received pulses.
Common uses
Diagnosis of abdominal and pelvic organs (liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidney and urinary bladder)
Examination of soft tissues and joints
Examination of vessels (color-coded duplex sonography)
Examination of the mammary gland
Examination for lymph node diagnosis
Color-coded duplex sonography: Special ultrasound examination for vascular diagnosis. By analyzing the speed of blood flow, significant vascular constrictions (vascular stenoses) and widenings (aneurysms) can be shown.
During a sonography examination, the doctor touches you with a transducer, while at the same time the image of the examined body region appears on a monitor.
In the four hours before the examination, you should neither eat nor drink, as air in the stomach and intestines can significantly reduce the quality of the examination and images.