An ultrasound machine works on the basic principle of using sound waves to image or treat parts of the body. Ultrasound, also known as sonography, imaging occurs in real time, with a monitor to view the structures being imaged or acted upon. Ultrasound is painless and precise, and the process must be completed by a trained sonographer.
Diagnosis
Ultrasound used to diagnose disease is called diagnostic ultrasound imaging and it can provide a view of structures that are normally inaccessible. Some structures that it is possible to image using an ultrasound machine include the gallbladder, thyroid, scrotum, prostate, muscles and tendons, according to RadiologyInfo.org. Ultrasound can also image inside arteries to diagnose plaque buildup that may lead to cardiovascular disease. When used for diagnostic purposes, the transducer and scanner portion of the ultrasound machine, the wand that emits and collects the sound waves, is normally situated outside of the body, although some types of ultrasound can be inserted into the vaginal canal, rectum or esophagus to get a closer view.
Pregnancy
Ultrasound machines are commonly used in prenatal care to view the fetus at various stages of development, assess fetal growth and diagnose any abnormalities in the pregnancy. Some things that can be diagnosed with a fetal ultrasound include placenta previa, blighted ovum, spina bifida, congenital heart defects and a multiple pregnancy. Ultrasound can also be used to determine gestational age of the fetus. Using Doppler ultrasound allows the blood flow of the baby to be viewed so that the doctor can determine if the developing heart is functioning properly.
Therapeutic
Ultrasound can be used therapeutically when the sound waves are focused and set at specific wavelengths, explains the journal "Ultrasound Medical Biology." One such application uses ultrasound to cause certain medications to move into and below the skin for individuals who cannot tolerate the needles used for injecting medication. Other therapeutic sonography applications include breaking up tumors, repairing cataracts and destroying blood clots.
Guidance
During some procedures, ultrasound can be used to guide the doctor. Ultrasound is often used this way during needle biopsies in which a needle is inserted into a suspected tumor to remove a small sample. Guidance of the needle during a sampling of amniotic fluid for amniocentesis is another example. Using ultrasound to guide the needle allows more precision in these types of procedures.
Alternatives
While ultrasound has many varied uses, some applications are better suited to other imaging methods. In circumstances where ultrasound is not a viable option, MRI and CT scans may be used, although these methods are more involved and expensive than sonography. X-rays are cheaper, but they are more limited in use and may be contraindicated in some circumstances, such as pregnancy.
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