What is an ultrasound scan?

Transcription

1 Freephone helpline Ultrasound scan An ultrasound scan uses sound waves to make pictures of the inside of your body. It can help doctors diagnose and find out information about some types of lymphoma. On this page What is an ultrasound scan? Having an ultrasound scan FAQs What if I feel anxious about having a scan? What is an ultrasound scan? An ultrasound scan makes pictures of the inside of your body. Ultrasound scans use sound waves. The sound waves come out of an instrument called a probe and travel through your body. They are very high-frequency (fasttravelling) so you cannot hear them. The waves bounce off of your tissues and organs. The echoes create a picture of the inside of your body.

2 Ultrasound image showing lymph nodes (glands) in the neck. Ultrasound is used in people with lymphoma to: examine the neck, the organs in the abdomen (stomach) or the pelvis. It might also be used to examine other sites (areas) of swelling such as under the armpits or in the groin area. help find the best place to biopsy a lymph node (gland) or other swelling (ultrasound-guided biopsy). help find the best position for putting in a central line (thin tube put into a vein to give you drugs and to take blood samples). In a small number of people affected by lymphoma who require drainage of fluid, ultrasound may be used to guide this process. What is the process for having an ultrasound scan? Ultrasound scans are usually done as an outpatient procedure, which means that you don t have to stay in hospital overnight. Ultrasound scans take around 15 minutes and are not painful.

3 How do I prepare for an ultrasound scan? You should be given information about how to prepare for the scan. You should be told in advance if you need to have a full or an empty bladder for the scan. You may also be advised not to eat anything for a few hours beforehand. What happens during the procedure? The procedure depends on which type of ultrasound scan you have: an external ultrasound scan uses a probe over your skin an internal ultrasound scan inserts a probe into your body. External ultrasound scan You might have an external ultrasound scan to examine lumps that are palpable (can be felt) in areas such as your: abdomen (if you have abdominal pain) arms armpit groin legs neck. For an external ultrasound scan, you lie on your back on a couch. A radiographer or a sonographer (specialists in medical imagery and diagnostics) rubs gel onto the skin over the part of your body that they want to examine. They then gently press a hand-held probe (which looks a bit like a microphone) onto your skin. They move it around to make a picture on a computer screen. This type of ultrasound scan takes about 15 minutes.

4 Internal ultrasound scan Internal ultrasound scans are not frequently used in lymphoma. An internal ultrasound uses a tiny camera to look at your organs. The camera is attached either to a probe or to an endoscope (flexible tube). This is passed into an opening in your body (usually your mouth). You might be given a sedative (relaxant) to make the procedure easier and more comfortable. This type of ultrasound takes a bit longer. What happens after the procedure? You can go straight home after your scan, though you won t be able to drive if you have had a sedative. Ultrasound scans do not use radiation. There are no precautions you need to take afterwards. Frequently asked questions about ultrasound scans Do I need to fast (not eat or drink) on the day of the scan? You may be advised not to eat for a few hours before your scan. Is it OK to take prescription medication before the scan? It is generally safe to continue taking any prescription medication on the day of your appointment. Check with hospital staff, though, and follow their advice.

5 Will I be closed in during the scan? You will not be closed in during the scan you will lie down on a couch. If you feel anxious about having your scan, speak to your medical team. When will I get the results? Your doctor usually gets the results from the hospital within a few days and will discuss them with you. Staff in the scanning department won t be able to give you your scan results while you are at the hospital. Are ultrasound scans safe? Ultrasound scans are very safe. They do not use any radiation. Can I have an ultrasound scan if I am pregnant or breastfeeding? There are no known risks to an unborn baby from an ultrasound scan. Breastfeeding is also considered to be safe after an ultrasound scan. What if I feel anxious about having the scan? For some people, waiting for test results can be a particularly anxious time. Although the wait might feel long, it is important that doctors collect all of the information they need in order to plan the best treatment for you. Talk to the staff in the scanning department at your hospital if you are worried about having your scan. They can answer any questions you have and may be able to suggest ways of coping with your anxiety.

6 References Chow C and Gideon K. Sedating drugs and breastfeeding. Canadian family physician. 2015, 61: Available at: bit.ly/2hheonq (accessed September 2017). The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Non- Hodgkin s lymphoma: diagnosis and management. Available at: bit.ly/2ag6q4m (accessed October 2017). NHS Choices, Ultrasound. Available at: bit.ly/2m0ymxv (accessed September 2017). American Cancer Society, Ultrasound for Cancer. Available at: bit.ly/2zc6pvr (accessed September 2017). Further reading Glossary Stages of lymphoma Tests, diagnosis and staging Waiting for test results

7 Acknowledgements We would like to thank the Expert Reviewers and members of our Reader Panel who gave their time to review this information. Content last reviewed: November 2017 Updated: April 2018 Next planned review: November 2020 Lymphoma Action Tell us what you think and help us to improve our resources for people affected by lymphoma. If you have any feedback, please visit or All our information is available without charge. If you have found it useful and would like to make a donation to support our work you can do so on our website Our information could not be produced without support from people like you. Thank you. Disclaimer We make every effort to make sure that the information we provide is accurate at time of publication, but medical research is constantly changing. Our information is not a substitute for individual medical advice from a trained clinician. If you are concerned about your health, consult your doctor. Lymphoma Action cannot accept liability for any loss or damage resulting from any inaccuracy in this information or third party information we refer to, including that on third party websites. The following user-generated information is excluded from our Information Standard certification: web blogs, chatrooms, forums, personal experience pages, social media, fundraising materials and Lymphoma Matters magazine. Neither the Information Standard scheme operator nor the scheme owner shall have any responsibility whatsoever for costs, losses or direct or indirect damages or costs arising from inaccuracy of information or omissions in the information published on the website on behalf of Lymphoma Action.