Ultrasound
Ultrasound (US) is a fast, harmless and dynamic diagnostic imaging method. Using a simple, non-invasive procedure that does not involve radiation, an image of the organs or lesions to be examined is formed. During the scan, the specialist moves the transducer device over a part of the body. This transducer sends sound waves (ultrasound) that ‘bounce’ off the different organs and tissues, returning a new wave that is transformed into a specific image.
- Abdomen
- Abdominal screening
A non-invasive ultrasound technique that provides images of various intra-abdominal organs, such as the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, etc., and assesses whether or not there is disease, determining the extent, type and size of any possible lesions, etc.
- Pelvic screening
A non-invasive, transabdominal ultrasound technique that requires a full bladder in order to visualise the pelvic organs (uterus, ovaries) in relation to the various adjacent internal structures (bladder, intestine, etc.), allowing urinary and gynaecological diseases to be identified and assessed.
- Transrectal screening
Ultrasound technique of the prostate and seminal vesicles performed through the rectum, obtaining images from different planes that allow assessment of the morphology, size and echostructure of the prostate.
- Kidney screening
A non-invasive ultrasound technique that allows us to assess the morphology, size and position of the kidneys. Indicated for assessment of hydronephrosis, lithiasis, study of non-functioning kidneys by urography, evaluation of masses, abscesses and other pathologies.
- Prostate gland screening
A non-invasive transabdominal ultrasound technique that requires proper bladder filling in order to visualise: a) the morphology and size of the prostate and seminal vesicles; b) the walls and interior of the urinary bladder. Indicated for assessing prostate enlargement, inflammatory processes, ruling out bladder tumours, quantifying post-void residual urine, etc.
- Kidney-bladder-prostate screening
A non-invasive transabdominal ultrasound technique that requires proper bladder filling. It allows us to assess: a) the morphology, size and position of the kidneys, b) the walls and interior of the urinary bladder, c) size, prostatic echostructure and seminal vesicles. Indicated for patients with pain, haematuria or urinary tract infection, among other conditions, to rule out inflammatory disease, tumours, prostatic hypertrophy, lithiasis, etc.
- Bladder screening
A non-invasive ultrasound technique that requires adequate filling of the bladder with urine in order to obtain a correct assessment of the walls and interior. Indicated for ruling out tumours, inflammatory processes, lithiasis, megaureters, etc.
- Kidney and bladder
A non-invasive transabdominal ultrasound technique that requires proper bladder filling. It allows us to assess: a) the morphology, size and position of the kidneys b) the walls and interior of the bladder. Indicated for ruling out pathologies in patients with pain, haematuria, urinary tract infection, etc.
- Abdominal and pelvic screening
A non-invasive ultrasound technique used to obtain images of the various intra-abdominal and pelvic organs.
- Abdominal and gynaecological screening
A non-invasive ultrasound technique that provides images of the various intra-abdominal and pelvic organs, including assessment of the uterus and ovaries.
- Transrectal kidney bladder-prostate screening
An ultrasound technique used to obtain images of the kidneys via the abdomen and of the prostate via the rectum.
- Gynaecological screening
- Transvaginal gynaecological screening
Diagnostic technique entailing the examination of the uterus and ovaries for gynaecological assessment.
- Obstetric screening
- Transvaginal obstetric screening
Diagnostic technique performed in the first trimester of pregnancy to assess the condition of the embryo.
- Ultrasound‐guided transvaginal ovarian drilling
Diagnostic technique that allows for the anatomical and pathological diagnosis of a cystic image in the ovary.
- Amniocentesis
- Foetal Doppler
- Funiculocentesis
Puncture and extraction of blood from the umbilical cord to assess possible infections and other pathologies.
- Ovarian doppler imaging
Vascular study of tumours and ovarian pathology that indicates a possible malignancy.
- Chorionic biopsy
- Endometrial doppler
- Hysterosonography
- 20-week ultrasound scan
- Abdominal gynaecological screening
- Soft tissue structures (Small parts)
- Thyroid screening
A non-invasive ultrasound technique used to assess the size, morphology and echostructure of the thyroid gland and to detect nodules and inflammatory processes.
- Parotid and submandibular gland screening
A non-invasive ultrasound technique used to assess the size, morphology and echostructure of the salivary glands (parotid and submandibular) in order to detect nodules, lithiasis and inflammatory processes.
- Neck US
A non-invasive ultrasound technique that allows examination of the neck, assessing the morphology, size and echostructure of the parotid, submandibular and thyroid glands, as well as evaluation of possible cervical lymph nodes.
- Abdominal wall screening
A non-invasive ultrasound technique that allows examination of the anterior abdominal wall, mainly to assess possible hernias.
- Lump screening
A non-invasive ultrasound technique that allows any part of the anatomy to be examined for the assessment and characterisation of palpable nodules or tumours located in the skin, subcutaneous tissue or musculature.
- Scrotal and testicular screening
A non-invasive ultrasound technique that allows examination of the scrotum and its contents (testicles, epididymis) to assess possible tumours, inflammation or varicocele (varicose veins in the testicles).
- Thoracic wall screening
A non-invasive ultrasound technique that is very useful for assessing the presence of pleural fluid.
- Musculoskeletal screening
- Hip US
Non-invasive ultrasound technique for assessing the tendons of the gluteal muscles, the tensor fascia lata muscle, the greater trochanter, the psoas-iliac muscle, the insertion of the adductor muscles, the rectus femoris and sartorius muscles, adjacent nerves (femoral nerve and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve), the hip joint and its synovium, to rule out bursitis.
- Knee US
A non-invasive ultrasound technique used to assess joints (patellofemoral and tibiofemoral), quadriceps and patellar tendons, ligaments, menisci, the distal hamstring tendons and proximal triceps surae tendons, the iliotibial band, the goose foot, and adjacent nerves (tibial nerve and peroneal nerve), to rule out bursitis, synovitis, and pathology at the level of the patella, femur, and tibia.
- Ankle and foot screening
Non-invasive ultrasound technique for assessing joints (distal tibiofibular, tibiotalar, tarsometatarsal, metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints), bones (distal tibia and fibula, talus, navicular, cuneiform and cuboid bones), tendons (anterior tibial, posterior tibial, flexors and extensors of the toes), ligaments, intrinsic foot muscles, plantar fascia, adjacent nerves (tibial nerve and sural nerve), and to rule out bursitis and cysts.
- Shoulder
Non-invasive ultrasound technique for assessing the rotator cuff (subscapular, supraspinatus and infraspinatus), the long head of the biceps brachii tendon, the pectoralis major tendon, the deltoid muscle, the subacromial space, the acromioclavicular, glenohumeral, and sternoclavicular joints, the humeral head, the acromion, the clavicle, ligaments, joint capsule, labrum, adjacent nerves (suprascapular nerve), and to rule out cysts, bursitis, and synovitis.
- Elbow
Non-invasive ultrasound technique used to assess joints and their synovial membranes (humero-radial, humero-ulnar and proximal radio-ulnar), bones (distal humerus: medial epicondyle, lateral epicondyle and olecranon, head of the radius and proximal ulna), the common tendon of the extensor and flexor muscles, the triceps brachii tendon, and ligaments, to rule out bursitis, synovitis, and nerve pathology (median nerve, ulnar nerve).
- Wrist and hand screening
Non-invasive ultrasound technique for assessing joints (distal radioulnar, radiocarpal, cubital, carpal, carpometacarpal, metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints), bones (distal ulna, distal radius, scaphoid, lunate, triquetral, pisiform, trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate, metacarpals and phalanges), tendons and retinacula, ligaments, intrinsic muscles of the hand, adjacent nerves (median and ulnar nerves), and rule out bursitis and cysts.
- Muscle ultrasound
Muscle ultrasound (thigh, leg, arm, forearm, cervical, thoracic and lumbar muscles, thoracic wall and abdominal muscles). Assessment of traumatic injuries, myotendinous ruptures, nerve pathology, ruling out haematoma, Morel-Lavallée syndrome and myositis ossificans.
- Doppler ultrasound
- Ultrasound-guided drainage punctures
- Ultrasound-guided targeted infiltrations
- Breast screening
- Breast screening
A non-invasive ultrasound technique that allows us to assess the structure of the mammary gland, as well as the solid or liquid composition of breast lumps detected on mammograms, and whether they are benign or malignant.
- Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of breast lesions
This consists of a puncture to diagnose nodular lesions in the breast. The lesion is targeted using ultrasound guidance, a fine needle is inserted into the nodule and cells are extracted by aspiration. These are then sent to a cytology specialist (pathologist) for analysis.
- Core needle biopsy (CNB) of breast lesions
Procedure that involves extracting a sample of breast tissue with a thick needle for histological study of breast tumours. After administering local anaesthesia to the area, the needle is placed in the area to be studied, with ultrasound guidance, and a millimetre-long cylinder is extracted using an automatic cutting system. Subsequently, the pathologist will diagnose the sample.
- Pre-surgical marking of breast lesions
Procedure that involves placing a specially shaped needle (‘harpoon’) adjacent to a breast lesion that will subsequently be surgically removed. This harpoon guides the gynaecologist/surgeon during the procedure, thus avoiding the unnecessary removal of healthy breast tissue. After administering local anaesthesia to the area, the needle is guided by ultrasound to the nodule or lesion to be examined.
- Paediatric screening
- Abdominal screening
A non-invasive ultrasound technique that allows all abdominal organs to be examined, such as the caecum, liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, intestines and kidneys, enabling the diagnosis of a wide range of conditions, such as acute appendicitis, abscesses, trauma, tumours, etc.
- Kidney screening
A non-invasive ultrasound technique that allows us to assess the size, shape and position of the kidneys. Used to assess dilation of the pelvis and renal calyces (pyelical ectasia, hydronephrosis), masses, malformations, etc.
- Kidney and bladder screening
A non-invasive ultrasound technique that allows us to assess the size, shape and position of the kidneys and urinary bladder. Selective exploration for evolutionary control of hydronephrosis, study of non-functioning kidneys by urography, evaluation of masses, abscesses, megaureters and other pathologies.
- Hip screening
Hip ultrasound is currently the only reliable means of diagnosing congenital hip dysplasia before 3 months of age and determining the appropriate treatment at an early stage. It is also the most appropriate method for assessing joint fluid effusion in transient synovitis.
- Neck screening
A non-invasive ultrasound technique that allows us to assess the parotid and submandibular glands and their morphological and echographic appearance in inflammatory processes and abscesses. It is also an imaging technique of choice for assessing the ultrasound appearance of adenomegaly (enlarged cervical lymph nodes).
- Gynaecological screening
A non-invasive ultrasound technique that requires a full bladder in order to visualise the pelvic organs (uterus and ovaries) and assess their size, echostructure, malformations, cystic formations, precocious puberty, etc.
- Interventional procedures