Ultrasound Sonographer
Hello I am CH, a senior sonographer in the department. I trained in radiography at South Bank University achieving my degree 8 years ago. I then trained in diagnostic ultrasound and received my postgraduate diploma 5 years ago. I am experienced in general and obstetric ultrasound. I will be carrying out your ultrasound examination. Usually I will review the images after the examination and report back to your doctor but not infrequently I will show them to our Consultant Radiologist for a second, medical opinion.
Ultrasound is a straightforward technique. It is usually performed with you lying down on the couch. I will then squeeze a jelly like substance on to your abdomen, pelvis, neck or other part of your body that is to be examined. This is often cold, invariably sticky but otherwise usually non-staining and easily washable. The jelly serves as a contact between the ultrasound probe and your skin excluding air through which sound travels poorly and as a lubricant allowing the probe to glide easily over your skin.
The ultrasound probe looks a little like a chalk board rubber, or occasionally a small mobile phone. It transmits sound through the end of the probe through the jelly and into your body. By receiving the echoes returning from within you it creates a picture of your internal organs. Usually moving the probe across your skin is painless, but if you are already suffering with pain and particularly if I have to push firmly on the probe it may be uncomfortable. I will try to make sure that I only have to push when absolutely necessary.
You will often have to turn from one side to the other as I perform the examination so that I may demonstrate organs to the right and left of your body. Occasionally I may ask you to stand or sit up for part of the examination. It is often necessary to ask you to hold your breath during the course of the examination so as to better see some of the structures in your body.
For some examinations I will use Doppler. This is a process whereby I can listen to the blood flow in your body. If I remember I will warn you before I do this because it can be a little startling to hear the whooshing sound of blood flow if you don't expect it.
Afterwards I will give you tissues to wipe the jelly from your body. Don't be surprised if you find you are still a bit wet and sticky afterwards… the jelly seems to get everywhere but it is washable and hypoallergenic!
I will need to review the pictures I have taken after the examination even though they appear instantaneously on the screen. Quiet review means that I can consider the appearances more carefully and if necessary consult with the radiologist before reporting back to your doctor. The result will usually be with your doctor within a week.
Frequently now ultrasound is performed using a probe that is placed within the vagina for gynaecological examinations or within the rectum to look at the prostate, the wall of the bowel or occasionally the neck of the womb. If this is thought necessary I will explain the procedure to you carefully. I will also ask you whether you would prefer to have a chaperone or a friend present.
Most hospitals provide information leaflets on these techniques or you can find information on intimate examinations elsewhere on the RCR website