Ultrasound

The ultrasound scans carried out at the centre by Zdravstveni zavod Zdravje cover ultrasound of the abdomen and abdominal organs, ultrasound of the neck and thyroid, carotid ultrasound, and ultrasound of soft tissues and small joints. Each scan is described in its own section below.

Ultrasound works with sound waves, so there is no radiation during the scan. The scan is performed by a doctor, who follows the image as it appears and can explain the main findings to you during the examination.

Ultrasound shows organs, soft tissues and blood vessels well, but not bone. When a bone or joint space needs to be assessed, an X-ray is more suitable, and it is also available at the centre.

Ultrasound scans with us are self-pay, so you do not need a referral. If a doctor has sent you for the scan, bring their report or recommendation, as the scan will be more targeted.

An ultrasound of the abdominal organs assesses the structure of the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts, pancreas, spleen, kidneys with the urinary tract and the adrenal glands; it shows the bladder and the large blood vessels, and gives an approximate view of the bowel loops and reproductive organs. In men it also shows the prostate and calculates its volume. The scan is done with gel and a probe moved over the surface of the abdomen, with no radiation and no needles.

The reasons for the scan vary. Pain under the right ribs, recurrent bloating, abnormal liver tests in a blood test result, a check of a known finding or monitoring of chronic diseases.

You come to an abdominal scan fasting. Gas and contents in the digestive tract reduce visibility, while an empty stomach gives a much clearer picture. How long before the scan you must not eat, and whether you need a full bladder, we tell you when you book, as the instructions differ depending on what is being examined.

The scan is performed by a doctor, who explains the findings to you during the examination. You receive the written report as agreed when you book.

A neck ultrasound is an important test for detecting disease in the soft parts of the neck, for planning procedures and for following how well treatment is working. We examine the salivary glands, where inflammation, stones in the ducts and tumours can be detected, the lymph nodes of the neck, cysts and other lumps, and the thyroid and parathyroid glands.

For the thyroid, ultrasound shows the size, structure and position of the gland and any nodules. Assessing how the thyroid works also requires laboratory results besides the image, which is why a thyroid ultrasound is also part of the examination at the thyroid clinic, where the specialist relates the ultrasound results to the blood test results.

A lump in the neck almost always causes worry. The cause may be entirely harmless, for example enlarged lymph nodes after a respiratory infection, or it may be a change that needs further assessment. Telling the two apart is the doctor's job, and ultrasound is one of the first tools for it.

No special preparation is needed. The scan is done lying down, with the head tilted back slightly, and the doctor examines the area with a probe and gel. You do not need to fast for this scan.

If the doctor comes across a finding that needs explaining, they will suggest the next steps, from a follow-up ultrasound to referral to the appropriate specialist.

An ultrasound of the neck arteries, also known as a carotid Doppler, shows the walls of the vessels and the blood flow through them without any intervention. It shows atherosclerotic changes on the inner vessel wall and any narrowing of the vessel.

As a preventive check, the scan is recommended for men over 40 and women over 50, especially smokers and people with raised blood cholesterol levels. It also makes sense with other risk factors for heart and vascular disease, such as raised blood pressure and diabetes. It is also ordered by a doctor who hears a murmur over the carotid artery during an examination, or by a cardiologist or neurologist as part of wider care.

No preparation is needed and you do not need to come fasting. The scan is done lying down, with a probe and gel at the side of the neck. During the scan you will hear the sound of blood flow, which is a normal part of a Doppler scan and does not in itself mean anything bad.

The report describes the condition of the vessel walls and the measured flows. What the findings mean for you and whether a follow-up is needed is decided by the doctor based on the whole picture of your health. If the result is normal, we recommend repeating the scan once every five years.

An ultrasound of soft tissues and small joints shows the size and structure of changes under the skin, in muscles and other soft tissues of the limbs, as well as the tendons around joints, ligaments, joint capsules and joint structures, most often at the wrist, fingers, elbow, ankle and foot. It also shows changes that develop after a muscle injury.

A small lump under the skin that will not go away, a swollen wrist after months of working with a mouse, a finger that catches when you make a fist in the morning. With these and similar problems, ultrasound shows what is happening under the surface of the skin, and during movement, as you can move the joint or tendon during the scan.

No preparation is needed for the scan. You uncover the area being examined, and the doctor applies gel and examines it with the probe. When a comparison is useful, they also look at the healthy side of the body.

In orthopaedics it is a frequently used test, because it is non-invasive and can be done during movement. The findings are the basis for further care with an orthopaedist, rheumatologist or physiotherapist, depending on what the scan shows.