ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED
A pelvic ultrasound is a diagnostic exam that produces images that are used to assess organs and structures within the female pelvis. A pelvic ultrasound allows quick visualization of the female pelvic organs and structures including the uterus, cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
Pelvic ultrasound may be performed using one or both of 2 methods:
The type of ultrasound procedure performed depends on the reason for the ultrasound. Occasionally both methods may be needed to provide the information needed for diagnosis or treatment.
A pelvic ultrasound uses sound waves to make a picture of the organs and structures in the lower abdomen(pelvis).
Organs and structures that are solid and uniform (such as the uterus or ovaries) or that are fluid-filled (such as the bladder) show up clearly on a pelvic ultrasound. Bones may block other organs from being seen. Air-filled organs, such as the intestines, can make the image less clear.
The organs and structures of the female pelvis are:
Pelvic ultrasound may be used for evaluation of female pelvic organs. Ultrasound assessment of the pelvis may include examination of, but not limited to, the following:
In case of a transabdominal ultrasound, the doctor will ask the patientto drink 4 to 6 glasses of juice or water about an hour before the test to fill herbladder. A full bladder pushes the intestines (which contain air) out of the way of the pelvic organs. This makes the ultrasound picture clearer.Gel will be put on the patient’s abdomen to improve the quality of the sound waves. A small, handheld instrument called a transducer is gently moved over theabdomen. A picture of the organs and blood vessels can be seen on a screen.
A thin, lubricated transducer probe will be gently inserted into the vagina. Only the tip of the transducer is insertedin the vagina. The patient willneed to lie very still while the ultrasound scan is being done.
Transvaginal ultrasound may give more information than transabdominal ultrasound for women who:
Transvaginal ultrasound often makes a clearer picture than transabdominal ultrasound because the transducer probe gets closer to the organs being viewed. It is often used in early pregnancy. But transvaginal ultrasound looks at a smaller area than transabdominal ultrasound. It is used only for patients who are married.
In rare cases, sterile saline is put in the uterus through a thin tube (catheter), to allow the doctor to look at the inside of the uterus (hysterosonogram).
If both a transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound will be done, the transabdominal ultrasound will usually be done first.
Reasons the patientmay not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include: