Ultrasound scanning: a guide
What it shows
Ultrasound shows the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, thyroid, vessels and soft tissues. It is safe during pregnancy.
Preparation
For abdominal scans you are usually asked to come fasting; for pelvic scans a full bladder improves images. Confirm the exact instructions beforehand.
How it goes
Gel is applied to the skin and the area is scanned with a probe. The scan takes 15–30 minutes and results can be available immediately.
This is general patient education, not individual medical advice. Do not stop or change medicines yourself. Fast or make other preparations only when instructed by your care team.
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