What is it?    An ultrasound scan is a very clever way of visualising parts of the body.

How is it done?    The ultrasound beam is sent out and received by a special probe. This probe is normally placed on the skin's surface - usually the abdomen. It is possible to have a varity of scans in different areas of the body, but most of the scans arranged at the surgery are abdominal ones. This will involve smearing a special jelly on to the abdomen and placing the probe (which looks a bit like a fat pen) on the skin's surface. The person performing the scan will the move the probe around the abdomen and view the details on the monitor.

Is it painful?    No

Does it involve X-rays?    No. Ultrasound "waves".

How long does it take?    Minutes.

Is it the same as a "baby scan"?    Yes. The scans that are performed on pregnant women use ultrasound.

Will I be given the result at the time?    No. The specialist will need to examine the pictures in detail and then send a report to your GP. You should arrange to see your GP for the result (if he or she has arranged the test)

What do you look for?    Many different things. It is possible to detect gall stones, liver and pancreas disease, gynaecological disease, pregnancy, kidney disease and many more.

Will I need to prepare for the scan?    You may be asked to attend with a full bladder by drinking a pint of water an hour beforehand if the ultrasonographer (the person performing the scan) wishes to scan your tummy. A full bladder makes the pictures easier to interpret.

If the scan is normal, then I am OK?    A normal scan is reassuring but does not necessarily preclude underlying disease. The ultrasound scan pictures look a bit like a "radar" pattern and have to be interpreted by a person with special training to make sense of the pictures. The scan report has to be judged by your Doctor in light of your symptoms, the findings on examination and the results of other tests. Some diseases may not be picked up by ultrasound. Equally, some diseases that may eventually be detected by ultrasound may not be seen during the early stages of the disease.

When will I get the result?    If your GP has ordered the test, it will usually return to the surgery within a few days, sometimes a little longer. Please check that your test is back before making an appointment to discuss the result with your Doctor.