What are the main uses of ultrasound in (i) an imaging department, and Essay - 1

What are the main uses of ultrasound in (i) an imaging department, and (ii) a vascular department If possible, relate your answer to observations of actual departments or centres - Essay Example Because of the clarity of the images, especially the 3 dimension and 4 dimension types, it is now possible to view the development of the foetus in the womb and the nature of a timorous growth in the breast among others. Vascular ultrasound is used to view pictures of the body’s blood vessels. The vessels are made up mainly of veins and arteries, which are differentiated by the direction in which they carry blood flow in relation to the heart. Veins carry blood into the heart while arteries carry it away from the heart. Vascular sonographies are therefore important in helping doctors to view the flow of the blood and any blockages or constrictions in the vessels carrying it. In this way, causes of problems such as strokes or coronary malfunctions can be easily identified1. A variety of this ultrasound technique is the Doppler technique, which is used specifically to measure the rate of blood flow in the vessels. It is obviously a very important intervention in case of hypertension. The Doppler technique helps in imaging the rate and direction of the flow of blood. It contrasts the blood from the vein by for instance showing the veins as blue in color while the blood is red. The colorful image s shown are not only picturesque and breathtaking but also give a very accurate display of the flow. Problems such as blockages or interruptions can also be easily noticed2. The type of sonography known as imaging is a noninvasive test method that enables medical practitioners to examine internal organs of the body without necessarily cutting the patient open. It specifically concentrates on a particular organ for a definite purpose. This imaging falls into three main categories. The first is the A-mode in which a single sound wave is used to scan a strait line in the body giving its image in terms of depth. This applies to the scanning of a tumor for instance. The B-mode involves a