Ultrasound & Doppler

Information about your ultrasound or Doppler procedure.

Using ultrasound for imaging is the second oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging.
It involves a painless medical test that assists doctors to diagnose and treat a variety of medical conditions.
Investigation of abdominal pain, a palpable mass, gallbladder and kidney stones as well as a multitude of other conditions is easily done with an ultrasound.
It is a fast, cost-effective examination without any radiation.
Ultrasounds:
- Are easy to use and mostly painless and non-invasive.
- Do not use ionising radiation (and is therefore safe during pregnancy).
- Give a clear picture of the soft tissue, often not visible on X-ray.
- Have many applications.
- Have no known harmful effects on humans.

General information

Before your ultrasound examination

Special preparation

Abdominal ultrasound

Nil per mouth 6 hours prior to exam (eating introduces air into the stomach and bowel, complicating visualisation of the target organs, and also causes the gallbladder to collapse).
Water and medication may be taken.
Please arrive with a full bladder by drinking 2 litres (4 to 6 glasses) of water at least an hour before your examination. Sound waves travel through liquids and subsequently the full bladder. A full bladder also pushes bowel gas away from the organs that are being examined, enabling visualisation of the uterus and ovaries or prostate behind the bladder.

Pelvis/kidney ultrasound

Eat and drink as normal.
Please arrive with a full bladder by drinking 2 litres (4 to 6 glasses) of water at least an hour before your examination. Sound waves travel through liquids and subsequently the full bladder. A full bladder also pushes bowel gas away from the organs that are being examined, enabling visualisation of the uterus and ovaries or prostate behind the bladder.

Let the sonographer know

What to expect

SCP Ultrasound and Doppler examinations are performed by qualified sonographers and radiologists.
You will be lying face-up on an examination table for most examinations. For some other studies, such as a shoulder study, you may be required to sit up.
A cold gel is supplied to the area to secure contact and eliminate air between the skin and transducer.
You may be requested to hold your breath, for intermittent periods of time, during upper abdominal studies (gallbladder, liver, spleen, pancreas and kidneys).
For best results:
Please adhere to preparation procedures, especially pertaining to not eating or drinking before an abdominal study and arriving with a full bladder for a study of the pelvis or kidneys.