Ultrasound scan

Ultrasound scans are used for a wide range of clinical indications across various medical specialties. Some common clinical indications for ultrasound include:

Abdominal and Pelvic Conditions

• Abdominal pain or distention1

• Abnormal liver function1

• Gallstones or kidney stones1

• Evaluation of internal organs such as liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, and kidneys12

• Detection of abdominal aortic aneurysms12

Obstetrics and Gynecology

• Monitoring fetal growth and development during pregnancy24

• Evaluating the uterus and ovaries4

• Diagnosing ectopic pregnancy5

• Assessing placental conditions (e.g., placenta previa, placental abruption)4

• Evaluating pelvic pain or abnormalities2

Cardiovascular

• Echocardiography for heart valve abnormalities2

• Assessing blood flow in arteries and veins (duplex ultrasound)2

• Detecting blood clots or arterial occlusions2

Musculoskeletal

• Diagnosing muscle, tendon, and joint problems2

• Guiding therapeutic injections for musculoskeletal conditions2

Oncology

• Evaluating breast lumps2

• Guiding biopsies for various organs12

• Assessing thyroid nodules or cancer24

Other Indications

• Examining the thyroid gland24

• Evaluating scrotal masses or testicular conditions24

• Assessing bladder and prostate issues24

• Guiding interventional procedures such as fluid drainage3

Ultrasound is particularly useful for imaging soft tissues and is often the first-line imaging modality due to its safety, cost-effectiveness, and real-time imaging capabilities3. However, its effectiveness can be limited in patients with excessive body fat or when imaging structures beneath bone or dense tissue3.