Medical Sonography Essays

Medical Sonography Essays Medical Sonography Paper Medical Sonography Paper Medical sonography or ultrasound scanning or ultrasound imaging is a non-invasive diagnostic tool which employs high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of various organs and structures inside the body. The images obtained by this method are captured real-time, thus showing movement, structure and blood flow of the internal organs. The equipment used for sonography is known as ultrasound scanner. It consists of a console, a video display unit and a transducer. The console is made up of computer and electronics. Through the transducer, it is possible to send high frequency inaudible sound waves into the parts of the body in small pulses. These sound waves bounce back when they reach tissues, producing a change in the pitch and direction of the sound. The transducer picks up the change in the waves and creates a real-time image on the monitor. The shape, size and consistency of the part of the body are based on the echoed waves (Patient UK, 2006). Medical sonography differs from radiography and computed tomography which use X-rays for image acquisition. It also differs from magnetic resonance imaging which employs magnetic fields to visualize organs and tissues. In contrast-enhanced ultrasound or CEUS, certain microbubble contrast agents like microbubble shell and microbubble gas core are injected intravenously to produce echogenecity difference between gas in the microbubbles and soft tissue surroundings of the body (Patient UK, 2006). Medical sonography has a place in diagnosing many conditions. It is useful in obstetrics to assess the wellbeing of the fetus and to look into any abnormalities of the fetus, placenta and adjacent organs. It is useful to diagnose gall bladder disease, evaluate thyroid gland and also evaluate various abdominal and pelvic organs. In the newborn, cranial ultrasound helps detect hemorrhages and fluid accumulations in the brain. Sonography is useful to guide needle biopsies, diagnose some forms of infections and cancers and reveal certain abnormalities of the scrotum and the prostate. Sonography is also useful to study the heart and look at fluid accumulations around the lungs (Patient UK, 2006). Non-physician professionals who perform sonography are known as sonographers and vascular technologists. Vascular technologists are those sonographers who are specialists in performing imaging of blood vessels (Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, 2009). To become a diagnostic medical sonographer, there are many programs in Comprehensive Diagnostic Medical Sonography which vary in length from one to four years. The duration of the course is dependent on the degree or certificate awarded. It is advisable to follow the minimum curriculum and education standards as recognized by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. The courses can be done in consultation with Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, 2009). Although no obvious risks have been identified with ultrasound scanning the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine warns against the possibility of biological effects of scanning which may be identified in future (Wood, 2008). Even the American College of Radiology and The United States Food and Drug Administration warn against casual exposure to ultrasound especially during pregnancy. There are also concerns about possible thermal and mechanical damage to the fetus caused by sound waves which has led to the ALARA principle of exposure, meaning, the sonologists expose the fetus to As Low As Reasonably Achievable doses of sound waves (Wiseman and Kiehl, 2007). Those who want to become sonographers must meet some technical standards. The sonographers must be able to lift, push and pull more than 50 pounds routinely (Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, 2009). They must be able to bend and stoop routinely. They must be able to distinguish audible sounds and must be able to use hands, wrists and shoulders. The sonographers must be able to distinguish colors properly. For the kind of job they do, they may need to work standing on their feet 80% of the time (Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, 2009). Sonographers must interact effectively and in a compassionate manner with the ill patients and those who are injured. They must be able to communicate effectively with patients and other health professionals. They must assist patients while getting on and getting off the examining tables. Sonographers must be able to proceed the test in a sequence manner. Sonographers have some professional responsibilities too. They must elicit accurate patient history and obtain proper patient information. They must be able to analyze technical information and perform diagnostic procedures and obtain the images. Sonographers must be able to exert independent judgment while extending the scope of a procedure. They must provide a verbal or written summary of the findings of the procedure to the physician to help arrive at a diagnosis (Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, 2009). References Patient UK. (2006). Ultrasound Scan. Retrieved on 14th April, 2009 from patient. co. uk/showdoc/27000373/ Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. (2009). So you want to be a sonographer. Retrieved on 14th April, 2009 from sdms. org/career/career. asp Wiseman, C. S. , and Kiehl, E. M. (2007). Picture Perfect: Benefits and Risk of Fetal 3D Ultrasound. MCN, The American Journal of Maternal and Child Nursing, 32(2), 102- 109. Wood, D. (2008). New Dimensions in Prenatal Ultrasound: 3D and 4D. Retrieved on 14th April, 2009 from swedish. org/17337. cfm