Ultrasound: A Safe Examination for Every Patient

The evolution of ultrasound technology has brought fundamental changes to the field of medical diagnosis, offering a safe and non-invasive imaging method for studying the internal structures of the body. The images produced by the transmission of sound waves have become invaluable tools for medical professionals of various specialties, allowing them to visualize organs, tissues, and even the developing embryonic organism during pregnancy. In this article, we will address some basic questions regarding Ultrasound.

What is Ultrasound?

Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging method that enables the diagnosis of various pathologies in different parts of the body, such as organs, vessels, glands, muscles, tendons, and nerves. Ultrasound technique uses high-frequency sound waves that are reflected by the tissues of the body in the examined area. The resulting signals are recorded to create high-resolution images.

What are the advantages of Ultrasound?

Compared to other imaging methods, Ultrasound has several advantages:

Non-invasive and Safe: Ultrasound is a non-invasive and safe procedure, meaning it does not require incisions, use of intravenous drugs, or exposure to harmful ionizing radiation. This makes it a safe option for patients of all ages, including pregnant women and newborns.
Real-time Imaging: The dynamic nature of ultrasound allows interactive visualization, enabling doctors to observe organ function, blood flow, and movement in real-time. This facilitates accurate diagnosis and assessment.
Portable and Flexible: Some ultrasound devices are portable, making them indispensable in emergency situations.

Is the expertise of the doctor performing Ultrasound important?

Ultrasound is a real-time, operator-dependent examination, meaning that the diagnosis occurs during the scan and thus its reliability depends entirely on the Radiologist performing the ultrasound. Therefore, the experience and skills of the doctor conducting the examination are crucial.

The technological features of the ultrasound machine are another significant factor. State-of-the-art ultrasound machines with specialized transducers for each organ provide better image quality and more diagnostic information.

Why choose Ultrasound over Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)?

Ultrasound is a non-invasive, painless examination that does not involve magnetic resonance or the administration of intravenous contrast agents, as in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Therefore, it is a patient-friendly examination that does not burden the body with radiation and the use of intravenous drugs. It can be used in patients who have contraindications for MRI (such as those with pacemakers or metal implants), and it is particularly useful in the post-operative evaluation of joints and tendons, due to the lack of signal disturbances (artifacts).

Compared to other imaging methods, another fundamental difference is that Ultrasound is a real-time examination with the ability to perform dynamic tests. For example, Musculoskeletal Ultrasound and Abdominal Wall Ultrasound allow dynamic assessment of an area (e.g., joint movement, the assessment of umbilical or inguinal hernia).

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound allows for dynamic testing and the comparison with the other extremity during the examination, in order to highlight asymmetry or pathology in the limbs. Dynamic tests and extremity comparison provide significant and often decisive diagnostic information, and are not feasible with Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Finally, the interaction between the patient and the doctor during an Ultrasound exam allows for better correlation between findings and symptoms, leading to an accurate and reliable diagnosis.