Ultrasound in Milton Keynes

What is an ultrasound?

An ultrasound is a type of imaging test done so your doctor can see the structures inside your body without the need for surgery. This can include your muscles, organs, how your blood is flowing through the body, or a foetus (baby) inside your womb.

Although an ultrasound is most often associated with pregnancy, there are many uses for an ultrasound. These include:

• Diagnosing the cause of medical conditions
• Guiding certain treatment and biopsy procedures
• Monitoring an existing condition, such as a problem with your thyroid

Unlike X-rays, ultrasounds don’t use radiation to take images of your body’s internal structures. Typically, ultrasounds focus on imaging one area of your body. Ultrasounds are not usually a full body scan, like an MRI.

How will I know I need an ultrasound?

It’s advised you see a medical professional to assess your current situation, if you suspect you may need an ultrasound.

They will advise whether you need this type of scan to further investigate your condition. There are many types of ultrasounds they may recommend, including:

• Diagnostic ultrasound to confirm and diagnose a wide range of conditions
• Prenatal ultrasound to assess the health and development of your unborn baby
• Gynaecological ultrasound to assess any polyps, cysts, and fibroids
• Breast ultrasound to investigate lumps or other abnormalities
• Doppler ultrasound to assess your blood flow through arteries and veins
• Musculoskeletal ultrasound to scan your muscle, joints, tendons, and ligaments
• Therapeutic ultrasound to treat chronic pain and promote tissue healing

If a healthcare professional confirms that you may need an ultrasound scan, they will refer you.

How much does an ultrasound cost?

The cost of your ultrasound will depend on your personal circumstances and the type of ultrasound you are recommended to have.

At the time of your appointment, your consultant will discuss all your options for scans and answer all your questions.

Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you.

If you have private medical insurance, we can arrange direct settlement with your provider. However, you should check beforehand to see if the scan is covered. For more information, visit our private medical insurance page

How does an ultrasound work?

During the scan, a probe called a transducer is passed over the area of your body that needs to be scanned. This is done by a consultant radiologist, a doctor specialising in performing a variety of scans including ultrasounds. The radiologist will press the device against the studied area and move it to capture images. The transducer sends out sound waves into your body and collects an image of the reflected waves that bounce back. These images will appear on a computer and your doctor will analyse them to make a diagnosis or to assess an existing condition.

Preparation

In most cases, no special preparation is needed before the scan. You may wish to wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing so your radiologist can easily access the area they need to scan.

If you are getting an ultrasound during your pregnancy, and especially early pregnancy, or need to image your uterus, you should drink plenty of water and try to avoid urinating before the test. When your bladder is full, a better image is produced of the uterus.

During the scan

How the ultrasound scan will be done will depend on where you need to be imaged and whether it needs to be an external or internal scan.

If the scan is external, your radiologist will put a layer of lubricating gel on the area that needs to be scanned to help the device glide smoothly over the skin's surface. This may feel cool, wet, and sticky on the skin. You may feel slight discomfort, but the scan should not be painful.

If the scan is internal, the transducer will be inserted inside the body to get a clearer picture. Examples of internal ultrasounds include:

• Transoesophageal echocardiogram – this is when the ultrasound device passed into the oesophagus, typically under sedation. This helps obtain images of the heart images
• Transrectal ultrasound – this is when a special transducer is passed through the rectum (anus). This helps create images of the prostate
• Transvaginal ultrasound – this is when special transducer is inserted into the vagina. This helps to get images of the uterus, ovaries, and other parts of the female reproductive system

You will feel discomfort and possibly pain during the internal scan. If you have any issues or concerns during the appointment, please let your radiologist know.

Results

Your ultrasound scan results will usually be sent to the doctor who made the referral within two days of your procedure. They will discuss the scans and whether there is anything of note to investigate further.

Frequently asked questions about ultrasounds

What does a transvaginal ultrasound show?

A transvaginal ultrasound lets your doctor see your pelvic organs, which include your uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. It can help diagnose conditions, such as: Potential causes of fertility issues:

• Cysts
• Polyps
• Fibroids
• Endometriosis
• Signs of an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage
• Signs of cancer

It can also help see if an intrauterine device (IUD) is in the right position, if it is causing any discomfort.

A transvaginal ultrasound may also be done in early pregnancy too. It can:

• Determine the location of your pregnancy
• Confirm how far along you are in your pregnancy
• Measure your baby’s heartbeat
• Highlight any signs of early pregnancy complications

Can ultrasound detect cancer?

Yes, an ultrasound can show whether you may have cancer. An ultrasound scan can show if a lump is a fluid filled cyst or a solid tumour.

However, an ultrasound cannot definitively determine if something is cancer. If a lump looks suspicious and may be a tumour on the ultrasound, more tests such as taking a biopsy or blood tests are needed to confirm a diagnosis.

Can you eat before an ultrasound?

This will depend on the type of ultrasound you will be having.

If you are having an abdominal ultrasound, you may not be able to eat for several hours before the procedure. This helps prevent gas that builds in the tummy area that could affect the results.

Your consultant will give you further information and instructions before the test if this is the case.

Why do you need a full bladder for an ultrasound?

Having a full bladder before an ultrasound is important because the extra fluid helps create clearer images of the organs being scanned in the pelvis or lower tummy.

A full bladder pushes the bowel out of the way as it expands, letting sound waves travel through to the targeted area with less resistance. This can help your doctor see your uterus, ovaries, bladder, or baby better.

How do I book an ultrasound in Milton Keynes?

Call or book online today to arrange a consultation to discuss a private ultrasound scan with your consultant of choice at Circle Health Group. One of our dedicated advisors will help you find an appointment date and time that suits you.

Why choose Circle Health Group for your private ultrasound?

When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:

• Flexible appointment times to fit your schedule
• The freedom to choose your hospital and your consultant Bespoke, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Support from the same compassionate clinical team from beginning to end
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help spread the cost of your care If you’re looking to get fast tracked ultrasound results

Why not book your appointment online today?

Clinical sources and further reading

1. Ultrasound, Cleveland Clinic
2. Ultrasound, Mayo Clinic
3. How do ultrasound scans work? MedicalNewsToday
4. Ultrasound scan, Cancer Research UK