Ultrasound

What is an ultrasound scan and who performs them?

An ultrasound scan, 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 for guidance during interventional procedures.

A Sonographer or a Radiologist will perform your scan. Sonographers specialise in ultrasound scanning and are able to both perform and report scans. Some undertake specialist procedures such as biopsies.

Radiologists are specially trained doctors who report on imaging and may also undertake specialist 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 are used for all diagnostic medical ultrasound examinations,  and are carried out differently depending on what condition you are being scanned for. This could include, scans for:

• Upper abdomen
• Small parts (testes, thyroid)
• Gynaecology
• Musculoskeletal
• Vascular
• Obstetrics
• Transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy
• Fine needle aspirations
• Musculoskeletal injections

We perform ultrasound scans in Stockton, Hartlepool and Peterlee.

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.