Ultrasound

What is an ultrasound scan?

An ultrasound scan, sometimes called a sonogram, uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of part of the inside of your body.

An ultrasound scan can be used to monitor an unborn baby, diagnose a condition, or guide a surgeon during certain procedures.

How ultrasound scans work

A small device called an ultrasound probe is used, which gives off high-frequency sound waves.

You can’t hear these sound waves, but when they bounce off different parts of the body, they create “echoes” that are picked up by the probe and turned into a moving image. This image is displayed on a monitor while the scan is carried out.

What we do 

Our top of the range modern ultrasound systems is used for all diagnostic medical ultrasound,  and are carried out differently depending on what condition you are being scanned for. This could include, scans for:

• abdominal
• small parts (testes, thyroid)
• gynaecology
• musculoskeletal
• vascular
• obstetrics
• transrectal ultrasound and prostate biopsy

Your ultrasound scan

At the University Hospital of North Tees we see patients who are in hospital. We also carry out interventional ultrasound techniques and biopsies, and see emergency and urgent obstetric and gynaecology patients.

At the University Hospital of Hartlepool we see patients who are in hospital, including patients who have had a stroke, patients who have had a transient ischaemic attack (TIA – mini stroke), and for infertility services.