Ultrasound

Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s Hospital both have multiple scanning rooms providing a wide variety of ultrasound examinations including Abdominal, Pelvic and Obstetric scans.

What is ultrasound?

Ultrasound is the use of high frequency sound waves to create an image of the inside of the body. This is done by using a small hand sensor and gel, which is moved over the surface of the skin and uses the sound waves to create a picture. It is safe and will not cause any discomfort. The scan usually takes 15 to 30 minutes and is performed by a sonographer or Radiologist who specialises in Ultrasound.

Patient experience

Ultrasound is used to find out what is causing your problem and help your doctor find the best treatment. We have a specialist team of staff to make your ultrasound scan a pleasant experience.

One of our assistant’s will assist you into the room and prepare you for the scan which will be performed by a sonographer or a radiologist (radiographer or doctor with specialist training in ultrasound).

A small hand held device called a transducer is gently moved over your skin to examine the area indicated. This is completely pain free. A clear gel is used between the transducer and your skin. You may be asked to roll on to one side, to take a deep breath or to hold your breath to help get clearer images. An ultrasound scan may take between 10 and 30 minutes depending on the information required by your doctor.

Preparation for the scan

Depending on the area been examined and information required some scans do not require preparation but for others it is important to follow the instructions in the letter.

Please check your appointment letter for the department your scan is being performed in and any preparation required for your scan.

What is an abdomen and pelvis ultrasound scan?
Ultrasound is the use of high frequency sound waves to examine your organs (liver, kidneys, gallbladder, pancreas, bile ducts and spleen) in the abdomen and pelvis. It is safe, will not cause any discomfort and does not affect you.

Female patients may require an internal ultrasound examination of the pelvis. This will only be conducted with your consent.

How do I prepare myself for the scan?
We ask you not to eat for 6 hours before the scan. Please drink 1 to 1.5 pints of water one hour before your appointment time and do not empty your bladder until after the examination.
You may be asked to change into a gown leaving your footwear on. You may prefer to bring your own dressing gown. Please inform the department, before the appointment, if you do not wish to be examined in this way

Who performs the scan?
An Ultrasound Practitioner, who specialises in ultrasound, will carry out the scan. You will be able to ask the person doing the scan any questions you may have.
As this is a teaching hospital, a Practitioner or Doctor undergoing ultrasound training may perform your scan. A qualified Ultrasound Practitioner will supervise these scans.

How long does it take?
The scan usually takes 20 to 40 minutes.

After the test
You will be able to eat, drink and resume normal activities as a soon as you wish.

How will I get the results of the scan?
The scan report will be sent back to your referring Consultant in Outpatients or General Practitioner (GP). You will obtain the results of the examination when you attend for the next appointment with that doctor.

Parking meters have been installed in all car parks at this hospital. It is advisable to have sufficient loose change with you, to pay for two hours parking. If you attend late for your appointment you may not be seen until the end of the session or until an alternative vacant time can be found.

What is an abdominal ultrasound scan?
Ultrasound is the use of high frequency sound waves to examine your organs (liver, kidneys, gall bladder, pancreas, bile ducts and spleen) in the abdomen. It is safe, will not cause any discomfort and does not affect you.

How do I prepare myself for the scan?
We ask you not to eat for six hours before the scan in order to visualise the abdominal organs. You may drink water or clear fluids.
You may be asked to change into a gown leaving your footwear on. You may prefer to bring your own dressing gown.

Please inform the department, before the appointment, if you do not wish to be examined in this way

Who performs the scan?
An Ultrasound Practitioner, who specialises in ultrasound, will carry out the scan. You will be able to ask the person doing the scan any questions you may have.

As this is a teaching hospital, a Practitioner or Doctor undergoing ultrasound training may perform your scan. A qualified Ultrasound Practitioner will supervise these scans.

How long does it take?
The scan usually takes 10 to 40 minutes.

After the test
You will be able to eat, drink and resume normal activities as a soon as you wish.

How will I get the results of the scan?
The scan report will be sent back to your referring Consultant in Outpatients or General Practitioner (GP). You will obtain the results of the examination when you attend for the next appointment with that Doctor.

What is a pelvic (gynaecology) ultrasound scan?
Ultrasound is the use of high frequency sound waves to examine the organs (uterus
[womb] and ovaries) in your pelvis and the kidneys. It is safe, may cause mild
discomfort, but does not affect you.

How do I prepare myself for the scan?
We ask you to drink 1.5 pints of clear fluid (e.g. water) an hour before the scan in order to fill your bladder.

You may be asked to change into a gown leaving your footwear on. You may prefer
to bring your own dressing gown.

How is the scan done?
The pelvic organs will initially be examined, with a full bladder, through the lower
abdomen.

In most ladies, the Practitioner will then advise a more detailed look at the organs by performing a Transvaginal (internal) scan. You will be asked to empty your bladder before we do this examination. The Transvaginal scan uses a small probe (similar in size to a Tampon) which is gently inserted into the vagina.

Please inform the department, before the appointment, if you do not wish to be
examined in this way

How long does it take?
The scan usually takes 10 to 45 minutes.

After the test
You will be able to eat, drink and resume normal activities as a soon as you wish.

How will I get the results of the scan?
The scan report will be sent back to your referring Consultant in Outpatients or
General Practitioner (GP). You will obtain the results of the examination when you
attend for the next appointment with that Doctor.

Parking meters have been installed in all car parks at this hospital. It is advisable to
have sufficient loose change with you, to pay for two hours parking.
If you attend late for your appointment you may not be seen until the end of the
session or until an alternative vacant time can be found.

What is a renal ultrasound scan?
Ultrasound is the use of high frequency sound waves to examine your kidneys and bladder. It is safe, will not cause discomfort and does not affect you.

How do I prepare myself for the scan?
We ask you to drink one-and-a-half pints of clear fluid (e.g. water) an hour before the scan in order to fill your bladder. You may be asked to change into a gown leaving your footwear on. You may prefer to bring your own dressing gown.

Please inform the department, before the appointment, if you do not wish to be examined in this way

Who performs the scan?
An Ultrasound Practitioner, who specialises in ultrasound, will carry out the scan. You will be able to ask the person doing the scan any questions you may have.

As this is a teaching hospital, a Practitioner or Doctor undergoing ultrasound training may perform your scan. A qualified Ultrasound Practitioner will supervise these scans.

How long does it take?
The scan usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. After the test You will be able to eat, drink and resume normal activities as a soon as you wish.

What is an ultrasound scan?
Ultrasound is the use of high frequency sound waves to look at your baby. It is a diagnostic test performed for a medical reason. It will not cause any discomfort and does not affect you or your baby.

How long will the scan take?
The length of the examination will vary depending on how full your bladder is, the position of your baby and the stage of the pregnancy. The scan typically takes 15 to 30 minutes.

What preparation do I need before the scan?
To enable us to obtain the images required, it is essential that you attend with a full bladder. Please drink 1.5 pints of fluid (preferably water) one hour before your appointment time. Do not empty your bladder until after your scan. If you do not have a full bladder you may miss your appointment time, you may have
to wait or another appointment may have to be made. Please bring your handheld maternity notes with you.

Who performs the examination?
An ultrasound practitioner, who is specialised in obstetric ultrasound, will carry out the scan. As this is a teaching hospital, a practitioner or a doctor undergoing ultrasound training may perform your scan. A qualified ultrasound practitioner will supervise these scans.

Can my partner/ family accompany me?
You are welcome to bring one person with you into the scanning room (at this time children under the age of 16 cannot be admitted into the scanning room). The practitioner must be able to concentrate during the examination, therefore additional guests, including children, will only be able to come in to see the scan once the examination is complete. Unfortunately this department is unable to offer a child minding service at anytime. An accompanying adult will be required to supervise children.

What does the ultrasound scan show?
The scan will show the number of babies in the uterus, how many weeks pregnant you are and may detect abnormalities with the pregnancy. Not all abnormalities are seen on ultrasound. Most scans are normal, however if we do find an abnormality the results will be discussed with you. We will need to concentrate
for this part of the scan, and when we have obtained all the images required, your baby will be shown to you and your partner.

Occasionally it is not possible to obtain all the images required due to technical factors such as the position of the baby or if you are a little overweight. We may need to recall you for a further scan.

Sexing your baby
We will be happy to try and sex your baby at the 20 week scan. Please ask the practitioner at the beginning of the scan. Assessing sex is dependent on the position of the baby, is never 100% reliable and is not always possible. The trust will not accept responsibility for incorrect sexing and will not offer further scans to determine the sex of your baby.

Ultrasound images.
You may purchase an image of your baby at the cost of £6 for 2 images.

Please note that the use of photographic/recording equipment is not permitted during obstetric scans

Results of the Scan

The scan report will be sent back to your referring consultant in Outpatients or General Practitioner (GP) You will obtain the results of the scan when you attend for the next appointment with that Doctor. Please leave 7 to 10 days before making an appointment for results from your GP.

If you have not received your results within three weeks please contact your hospital or GP surgery.

Locations

At SJUH scans are performed in Chancellor Wing Ground floor and Bexley level. Obstetric scans are in Antenatal Unit 4th floor Gledhow Wing.

At LGI scans are performed in Marion Ward Ultrasound Department Jubilee Wing B floor or Clarendon Wing X-ray and Ultrasound Department B floor.

The Early pregnancy Service is provided at SJUH in Chancellor Wing on.

Scans on children are only performed at the LGI in the Clarendon Wing X-ray and Ultrasound Dept on B floor.

Musculoskeletal scans are performed at Chapel Allerton Hospital.

Contact

For any appointment queries please ring Leeds General Infirmary 0113 392 6549 or St. James University Hospital 0113 2064422 between 8:30am to 5pm Monday to Friday.