The following ultrasound scans are performed in our surgery by a Paediatrician using a modern Samsung Medison SonoAce R3 ultrasound.
INFANT HIP SCAN – recommended to all newborns and infants to exclude congenital/asymptomatic hip dysplasia and to prevent developmental dislocation of the hip. The examination is also recommended to assess maturity of anatomically correct hip.
ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND – to assess: liver, gallbladder and bile duct, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, adrenal gland as well as ureters and bladder. During this examination stomach, oesophagus, large vessels, and abdominal lymph nodes can also be assessed.
The scan is performed to diagnose: possetting and vomiting in infants, gastro-oesophageal reflux, colic, abdominal pain and excessive bloating in older children, constipation, chronic and recurrent diarrhoea, lack of appetite, lack of body weight gain, urinary tract infections, daytime wetting and bedwetting as well as abdominal trauma.
LUNG ULTRASOUND – examination assessing lungs to exclude inflammation/ pneumonia and other pathologies in children with recurrent infections, chronic or recurrent cough, shortness of breath and asthma.
NECK ULTRASOUND – scan shows superficial organs as thyroid, salivary glands and lymph nodes as well as soft tissue. It should be performed when there is increased neck circumference, palpable lump, enlarged neck lymph nodes or salivary glands.
THYROID ULTRASOUND – scan should be done when entire thyroid gland or its part is enlarged, if there is a palpable lump or there are symptoms suggesting thyroid dysfunction (such as: weakness, drowsiness, hyperactivity, irritability, excessive weight gain, excessive weight loss, hair loss, thermoregulation disorders, metabolic syndrome and hypertension). As a preventative measure the examination is performed in people with family history of thyroid disorders.
LYMPH NODES ULTRASOUND – examination performed to assess neck and mediastinal lymph nodes with suspicion of pathological enlargement.
MAMMARY GLAND ULTRASOUND – this is an assessment of mammary glands and axillary lymph nodes. The examination is recommended when mammary glands are enlarged before puberty or if there are any palpable changes in mammary gland tissue.
Preparation for an abdominal ultrasound:
- newborns do not require any special preparations
- infants should be fasting 2-3 hours before the scan. In case of the stomach and oesophagus scan parents should bring a bottle with food (which will be given during the test).
- older children should be fasting around 5 hours before the ultrasound. On the day of examination they should not have any fizzy drinks or chewing gum. To properly assess the bladder it should be well filled. Therefore, 30-60 minutes before the scan, the child should be given 250ml of water to drink.
For older children information on how the examination looks should be provided and they should be reassured that it is painless.
Other ultrasound scans do not require any prior preparation .
