Used to evaluate the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon. Barium outlines the lining of the digestive tract, making abnormalities visible on X-ray.
Reasons for the procedure include difficulty in swallowing, chronic heartburn, abdominal pains, constipation, diarrhea and also to diagnose structural abnormalities in the digestive tract.
Examines the kidneys, ureters, and bladder using an injected contrast dye to detect kidney stones, tumors, or urinary tract abnormalities. Checks on kidney and bladder function.
Painful urination or urinary retention.
Assessing the bladder and urethra during urination to detect reflux, blockages, or urinary abnormalities.
Symptoms like blood in urine, recurrent urinary infections and kidney pain.
Evaluates the urethra for strictures or injuries using a contrast dye inserted through the urethra.
Examines the uterus and fallopian tubes, commonly used in infertility evaluations to check for blockages or abnormalities. Performed on patients having difficulty in conceiving or history of miscarriages.
Ultrasound is an imaging technology that uses high frequency sound waves to characterize tissues.
Its widely used for its advantages over other imaging modalities because it is affordable, non-invasive and painless its real time characteristic allows dynamic assessment for Motion Ie; blood flow and heart hence providing immediate results for quick decision making.
It's also radiation free which makes it safer for vulnerable population like pregnant women and can be performed at a bed side.
There are several clinical reasons why one is sent for an ultrasound procedure and depending on the exams this includes;This plays a big part during the progress of a pregnancy journey. Its used to:
Check for pregnancy location if intrauterine hence ruling out ectopic.
Confirm fetal viability in early pregnancy.
Confirm number of gestations If multiple I.e; Twins e.t.c
Determine causes of abdominal cramping, PV spotting or bleeding during pregnancy.
Routine check up to evaluate fetal well-being.
Confirmation of any fetal anomalies.
Ruling out placenta previa.
Calculation of Amniotic Fluid Index after drainage of liquor.
Checking on fetal presentation.
Measuring fetuses' weight.
This is for individual's with previous histories of miscarriages, difficulty in conceiving.
Lower abdominal pains.
Prolonged and abnormal uterine bleeding.
Prolonged duration without menses.
Painful menses.
Follow up on space occupying lesions ie; ovarian cyst.
Checkup on fibroids.
Follicular tracking.
Patients who present with acute abdomen.
Distended abdomen to rule out ascites.
Epigastric pains to check on the Gall bladder for any wall thickening, stones, hernia or inflammation of the pancreas.
Flank pains to confirm the kidneys to check on any kidney infections, stones, renal cyst.
Any enlargement of the liver or Speen.
Any nodules within the abdominal organs.
This is in male for prostate screening to check on presence of any nodules.
Enlargement of the prostate gland.
Issues with recurrent or painful micturition.Evaluate various masses to rule out on Lipoma or cystic lesions.
Check on any Enlargement within the lobes to rule out the likes of goitre, hashimotos disease e.t.c
For cancer screening. Evaluate breastfeeding lumps or cysts.
Breast pains to rule out mastitis.
To check on brains health in babies ruling out abnormalities like hydrocephalus.
Any tumors present.
This are for injuries, pain or any inflammation on tendons or muscles.
For swelling of the limbs.
To check on any blockages Ie; carotid artery disease.
Ruling out Deep venous thrombosis.
Confirm any aneurysm or plague.
Check on varicose veins.
In emergency trauma to rule out testicular torsion.
Screening for testicular cancer.
Testicular pains to rule out on epidydimitis, varicocele, spermatoceles.
Testicular swelling to check on hydrocele.
Checking on testicular location in children for cryptochidism or undescended testis.
Evaluate the Kidney, Ureters and Bladder for any infections, obstruction like stones, difficulty in micturating. Any abnormal wall thickening.