Ultrasound

What is an Ultrasound?

Ultrasound is non-invasive diagnostic imaging procedure. Diagnostic images of internal organs, blood vessels or muscles are created using short pulses of high frequency sound waves. The pulses of sound are reflected back and used to construct images of the area being evaluated. Ultrasound images are captured in real time and can show structure and movement of the body’s internal organs as well as blood flowing through blood vessels. Ultrasounds do not use ionizing radiation (as used in x-rays) and there are no known harmful effects on humans.

How do I book a scan?

Click here to access The Rapid Access Ultrasound Clinic on Greenhills Road, Tallaght.

F.A.Q

-F.A.Q: What is an Ultrasound?

-F.A.Q: Who will carry out my test?

-F.A.Q: How long will my test take?

-F.A.Q: Is an ultrasound safe?

-F.A.Q: What should I wear on the day of my examination?

-F.A.Q: What will happen during my examination?

-F.A.Q: Who will report on my ultrasound and when will my doctor get the results?

-F.A.Q: Do I have to fast or follow any instructions prior to my ultrasound examination?

-F.A.Q: Preparing for an abdominal ultrasound

-F.A.Q: Preparing for a Male Renal & Pelvic Ultrasound

-F.A.Q: Preparing for a Male Abdomen & Pelvis Ultrasound

-F.A.Q: Preparing for a Female Renal Ultrasound

-F.A.Q: Preparing for a Female Pelvis - Transabdominal & Transvaginal Ultrasound

-F.A.Q: Preparing for a Female Renal & Pelvic Ultrasound

-F.A.Q: Preparing for a Female Abomen and Pelvis ultrasound

-What is an Ultrasound?

Ultrasound is safe, non-invasive and does not involve radiation. The Sonographer (ultrasound technician) passes a hand-held piece of equipment (a 'probe') over the skin to make images of internal anatomy. The probe emits very high frequency sound waves (these cannot be heard or felt). The sound waves 'bounce' back, like sonar, from inside the body - and this is what produces the images. Ultrasound is an excellent diagnostic tool and is often used in obstetrics to support ante-natal care. Ultrasound also produces useful images of the abdominal and pelvic regions, veins and arteries, muscles and tendons.

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-Who will carry out my test?

Your test will be carried out by an IIRRT registered sonographer and or a consultant radiologist

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-How long will my test take?

Ultrasound examinations take approximately 30 minutes, with some more complex examinations taking up to 45 minutes.

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-Is an ultrasound safe?

There are no known risks associated with an ultrasound scan

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-What should I wear on the day of my examination?

You should wear comfortable loose, loose fitting clothing for your ultrasound examination. You may need to remove some clothing and jewelry in the area to be examined. You will be given a gown to wear during the procedure. We recommend where possible valuables are left at home on the day of your examination.

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-What will happen during my examination?

For most ultrasound examinations you will be positioned lying face-up on an exam table that can be either tilted or moved. A warm clear gel is applied to the area of your body being evaluated and eliminates air pockets between the transducer and the skin. The sonographer presses the transducer firmly against the skin, sweeping over the entire area of interest. The sonographer reviews the images in real time and once they have ascertained they have all the images they require, the examination is deemed to be completed.

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-Who will report on my ultrasound and when will my doctor get the results?

All ultrasounds are reported by a consultant radiologist. All results will be with your referring doctor within 48 hours of your examination being completed.

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-Do I have to fast or follow any instructions prior to my ultrasound examination?

Many ultrasound examinations require do not require the patient to follow any special preparation, however some examinations do. Below is a list of all the examinations we carry out and where appropriate the instructions a patient must follow prior to arriving for their exam. For theses examinations it is important that you follow the specific instructions for your scan in order to get the best images possible on the day. If a patient does not follow the instructions they are given, there is the possibility that their exam will have to be cancelled and rescheduled.
There is no preparation required for the following examinations
• Thyroid
• Musculoskeletal (MSK)
• Vascular
• Testicular

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-Preparing for an abdominal ultrasound

You must fast for 8 eight hours before your examination. Fasting means nothing to eat. You must not smoke on the day of your examination.
In order to obtain the best images, it is important you follow these instructions. If the preparation is not followed, it may result in your appointment being cancelled.

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-Preparing for a Male Renal & Pelvic Ultrasound

You must fast for 6 hours before your examination. Fasting means nothing to eat. 2–3 hours before your examination you must drink 1-1½ litres of water. You must be finished drinking this liquid 1 hour before your test is scheduled to begin as you must have a full bladder for the examination to be carried out. If you are having difficulty holding your bladder, you may go to the bathroom and release a small amount (to the count of ten). You must not smoke on the day of your examination.
In order to obtain the best images, it is important you follow these instructions. If the preparation is not followed it may result in your appointment being cancelled.

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-Preparing for a Male Abdomen & Pelvis Ultrasound

You must fast for 8 eight hours before your examination. Fasting means nothing to eat. 2–3 hours before your examination you must drink 1-1½ litres of water. You must be finished drinking this liquid 1 hour before your test is scheduled to begin. You must have a full bladder for the examination to be carried out. If you are having difficulty holding your bladder, you may go to the bathroom and release a small amount (to the count of ten). You must not smoke on the day of your examination.
In order to obtain the best images, it is important you follow these instructions. If the preparation is not followed it may result in your appointment being cancelled.

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-Preparing for a Female Renal Ultrasound

You must fast for 6 hours before your examination. Fasting means nothing to eat. 2 – 3 hours before your examination, you must drink 1-1½ litres of water. You must be finished drinking this liquid 1 hour before your test is scheduled to begin. You must have a full bladder for the examination to be carried out. If you are having difficulty holding your bladder, you may go to the bathroom and release a small amount (to the count of ten). You must not smoke on the day of your examination.
In order to obtain the best images, it is important you follow these instructions. If the preparation is not followed it may result in your appointment being cancelled.

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-Preparing for a Female Pelvis - Transabdominal & Transvaginal Ultrasound

These two exams are complementary and are often done together to allow for the best visualisation of the pelvic organs. The transabdominal study involves the radiographer putting some warm gel on your abdomen and slowly moving a small hand-held device back and forth. This part of the exam takes about 15 minutes.
If required the transvaginal study follows the transabdominal study, after you have emptied your bladder. For this study the sonographer will insert a small probe (a little larger than a tampon) into the vagina. The probe is gently moved to allow the sonographer obtain the best images. This part of the exam takes about 15 minutes. You may bring a friend or family member to be with you during this examination or you may avail of our chaperone on the day.
2–3 hours before your examination you must drink 1-1½ litres of water. You must be finished drinking 1 hour before your test is scheduled to begin. You must have a full bladder for the examination to be carried out. You may not have this procedure carried out while you are having your period, so please allow for this when booking your appointment. You must not smoke on the day of your examination.
In order to obtain the best images, it is important you follow these instructions. If the preparation is not followed it may result in your appointment being cancelled.

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-Preparing for a Female Renal & Pelvic Ultrasound

This procedure consists of 3 separate examinations:
• Abdomen ultrasound
• Transabdominal pelvic ultrasound
• Transvaginal pelvic ultrasound
The pelvic ultrasound exams are complementary and are often done together to allow for the best visualisation of the pelvic organs. The transabdominal study involves the sonographer putting some warm gel on your abdomen and slowly moving a small hand-held device back and forth. This part of the exam takes about 15 minutes.
If required the transvaginal study follows the transabdominal study, after you have emptied your bladder. For this study the sonographer will insert a small probe (a little larger than a tampon) into the vagina. The probe is gently moved to allow the sonographer obtain the best images. This part of the exam takes about 15 minutes. You may bring a friend or family member to be with you during this examination or you may avail of our chaperone on the day.
You must fast for 6 eight hours before your examination. Fasting means nothing to eat. 2–3 hours before your examination you must drink 1-1½ litres of water. You must be finished drinking 1 hour before your test is scheduled to begin. You must have a full bladder for the examination to be carried out. You may not have this procedure carried out while you are having your period, so please allow for this when booking your appointment. You must not smoke on the day of your examination.
In order to obtain the best images, it is important you follow these instructions. If the preparation is not followed it may result in your appointment being cancelled.

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-Preparing for a Female Abomen and Pelvis ultrasound

This procedure consists of 3 separate examinations:
• Abdomen ultrasound
• Transabdominal pelvic ultrasound
• Transvaginal pelvic ultrasound
The pelvic ultrasound exams are complementary and are often done together to allow for the best visualisation of the pelvic organs. The transabdominal study involves the sonographer putting some warm gel on your abdomen and slowly moving a small hand-held device back and forth. This part of the exam takes about 15 minutes.
If required the transvaginal study follows the transabdominal study, after you have emptied your bladder. For this study the sonographer will insert a small probe (a little larger than a tampon) into the vagina. The probe is gently moved to allow the sonographer obtain the best images. This part of the exam takes about 15 minutes. You may bring a friend or family member to be with you during this examination or you may avail of our chaperone on the day.
You must fast for 8 eight hours before your examination. Fasting means nothing to eat. 2–3 hours before your examination you must drink 1-1½ litres of water. You must be finished drinking 1 hour before your test is scheduled to begin. You must have a full bladder for the examination to be carried out. You may not have this procedure carried out while you are having your period, so please allow for this when booking your appointment. You must not smoke on the day of your examination.
In order to obtain the best images, it is important you follow these instructions. If the preparation is not followed it may result in your appointment being cancelled.

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