Other Forms of Ultrasonography

Since no examination procedure is perfect, it sometimes makes sense to combine several. In endosonography, ultrasound examination is coupled with endoscopic examination (

Endoscopy). The endoscope is used to reach hard-to-reach places such as the esophagus, stomach, intestines, and coronary arteries; the ultrasound device can then be used to assess structures in depth that cannot be seen or adequately evaluated with specular examination. These include tumors, cysts and inflammation or prostate changes. Combined with “ultrasound-guided puncture,” tissue samples can be taken in the same procedure.

3. ultrasound-guided puncture

The more precise the

tissue sampling, the greater the likelihood that the pathologist will also be able to make a diagnosis under the microscope and the lower the risk of injuring surrounding tissue. For this reason, a puncture is often performed under the view of an ultrasound image. This allows the area in question to be located precisely and the course of the puncture needle to be followed. This method can be combined with endoscopy (see endosonography).

4. doppler and color duplex sonography.

The Doppler method can be used to determine the speed of blood flow in the heart and in arteries and veins, as well as to assess vessel width and heart valves. Narrowing or occlusion, short-circuit connections, and valvular defects can be detected. The graphic display can be coupled with acoustic signals. This makes expectant parents happy – from the 12th week of pregnancy, the heartbeat of the unborn child can be heard. If the Doppler method is combined with a normal ultrasound image, this is known as the duplex method. In this way, soft tissue structures can be assessed at the same time as the blood flow. In color-coded duplex sonography, the blood flow is also displayed in color (red for movement in the direction of the transducer, blue away from the transducer, green for turbulence), which makes it possible to assess the vessels very precisely.

Advantages and disadvantages of sonography

To date, there are no known risks associated with ultrasonography. Unlike X-ray examinations, the sound waves do not damage tissue, and the simple procedure is painless – except for a slight sensation of pressure. Researchers have so far disagreed about the effect on unborn children. Studies have shown that they respond with increased kicking when the mother is “sonicated. The extent to which this could be a sign of infantile stress is still unclear. The biggest “side effect” is the gel, which tends to get into the undershirt and pants after the examination. However, since it is colorless and contains mostly water, this problem is solved with the next wash at the latest.