An ultrasound scan (sonography) is an examination that helps assess the condition of internal organs, blood vessels and soft tissues. Baltic American Clinic performs ultrasound examinations of many different parts of the body. Whether you need a scan, and of what, depends on your symptoms and the doctor’s assessment.
Ultrasound does not use X-rays.
Internal organs, blood vessels and soft tissues can be assessed.
Most ultrasound scans are done on an outpatient basis.
The findings help plan further care.
When should you have an ultrasound?
An ultrasound may be recommended because of abdominal pain, a lump that can be felt, signs of organ dysfunction, pregnancy monitoring or other indications identified by a doctor.
Which examinations are performed?
Choose an examination to find out what it helps assess and which doctor’s consultation may be needed. The need for an examination is decided by a doctor according to medical indications.
Abdominal ultrasound
What does it help detect? It helps assess the structure of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen and other abdominal organs, and can show stones, cysts, organ enlargement or other changes. Not all digestive diseases can be detected by ultrasound.
Who may recommend it? A gastroenterologist, family doctor or internal medicine physician.
Kidney and bladder ultrasound
What does it help detect? It helps assess the size and structure of the kidneys, dilation of the urinary tract, signs of stones or masses, the condition of the bladder and residual urine.
Who may recommend it? A urologist, nephrologist or family doctor.
Thyroid ultrasound
What does it help detect? It helps detect thyroid nodules, cysts, enlargement of the gland and other structural changes. Hormone function is assessed with blood tests.
Who may recommend it? An endocrinologist or family doctor.
Breast ultrasound
What does it help detect? It helps assess breast tissue, cysts, palpable lumps and other changes. Depending on your age and symptoms, a mammogram or biopsy may be needed.
Who may recommend it? A breast specialist (mammologist) or another doctor who assesses breast health.
Salivary gland ultrasound
What does it help detect? It helps assess enlargement of the salivary glands, inflammatory changes, possible stones and masses.
Who may recommend it? An ENT specialist (otorhinolaryngologist) or family doctor.
Prostate ultrasound
What does it help detect? It helps assess the size and structure of the prostate and certain changes; ultrasound alone is not enough to diagnose all prostate diseases.
Who may recommend it? A urologist.
Testicular (scrotal) ultrasound
What does it help detect? It helps detect changes in the testicles and epididymis, fluid collections, dilated veins or masses; blood flow is examined when needed.
Who may recommend it? A urologist.
Joint ultrasound
What does it help detect? It helps assess joint fluid, tendons, ligaments and the surrounding soft tissues when inflammation or injury is suspected.
Who may recommend it? An orthopaedic trauma surgeon, rheumatologist or another doctor, depending on the symptoms.
Soft tissue and superficial tissue ultrasound
What does it help detect? It helps assess lumps under the skin, cysts, fluid collections and other changes in superficial tissues. The scan on its own does not always establish the nature of a lump.
Who may recommend it? A family doctor, internal medicine physician or surgeon, depending on where the lump is.
Gynaecological ultrasound
What does it help detect? It helps assess the uterus, the lining of the uterus, the ovaries and other pelvic organs, and detect signs of fibroids, cysts and other changes.
Who may recommend it? An obstetrician-gynaecologist.
Pregnancy and fetal ultrasound
What does it help detect? It helps monitor the course of pregnancy, fetal growth, anatomy and certain developmental changes at different stages of pregnancy.
Who may recommend it? An obstetrician-gynaecologist; where there is a risk of genetic conditions, a clinical geneticist.
Infant abdominal ultrasound
What does it help detect? It helps assess the structure of the baby’s abdominal organs and congenital or acquired changes suspected by the doctor.
Who may recommend it? A paediatrician, neonatologist or paediatric specialist.
Infant brain ultrasound
What does it help detect? Performed through the fontanelle, the scan helps assess certain changes in brain structure and the condition of the brain ventricles.
Who may recommend it? A neonatologist, paediatrician or paediatric neurologist.
How is the examination performed?
The doctor applies gel to the area being examined and looks at the anatomical structures with a probe. The examination is usually painless. How long it takes depends on the area being examined.
Preparing for the examination
Preparation depends on the examination: for an abdominal ultrasound you may need to fast, and for a bladder scan you may need a full bladder. Check the specific instructions when you book.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is an ultrasound painful, and is it safe?
An ultrasound is usually painless: gel is applied to the skin and the doctor examines the area with a probe. The examination uses no ionising radiation and can be performed on adults, pregnant women and children according to medical indications.
Do I need to fast before an abdominal ultrasound?
You are often asked not to eat for some time before an abdominal ultrasound, because food and gas can make it harder to assess some organs. The exact fasting time depends on the examination and the patient’s age – follow the instructions you are given when booking.
Do I need to drink water before a kidney and bladder ultrasound?
If the bladder will also be examined, you are usually asked to arrive with a full bladder. How much water to drink and when depends on the examination and your state of health. You will receive individual instructions when you book.
Is special preparation needed for a thyroid or breast ultrasound?
Usually no special preparation is needed. It is worth bringing the results of any previous ultrasound scans, mammograms or biopsies, if you have them.
Can a breast ultrasound replace a mammogram?
Not always. Ultrasound and mammography provide different information. Based on your age, symptoms and risk factors, the doctor decides which examination, or which combination of them, to choose.
Can an ultrasound tell for certain whether a lump is malignant?
Ultrasound can show the features of a lump and help decide whether further investigation is needed, but it does not always establish its nature. If necessary, the doctor will recommend a biopsy or other tests.
How long does an ultrasound take, and when will I get the results?
The length of the examination depends on the area examined and the findings. How the report is prepared and provided may differ between examinations; we will let you know when you book or after the examination.
Do I need a doctor’s referral for an ultrasound?
A referral is usually not required for a paid (self-funded) ultrasound, but a doctor’s consultation helps choose the most appropriate area and examination method.
Can several ultrasound examinations be done on the same day?
It depends on the type of examinations, their preparation requirements and the doctors’ availability. We recommend arranging several examinations in advance.
What should I do if the ultrasound shows changes?
Discuss the report with the doctor who ordered the examination or who is treating you. Depending on the findings, monitoring, further tests or a consultation with another specialist may be recommended.
Ultrasound price
The price of an ultrasound examination depends on the area examined and the scope of the examination. If additional tests or a doctor’s consultation are needed, we will inform you in advance about the need for them and the expected costs.