Sonography, also called ultrasonography, uses high-frequency ultrasonic waves for imaging. When they are sent into the tissues of the body, they are reflected in different ways by tissues with different structures. The reflected sound waves are recorded and measured – using the time difference between the sent and received impulses, the computer then generates an ultrasound image.
Advantages of sonography
Sonography is a radiation-free alternative to a normal X-ray examination. The application of a contrast medium is not required.
The examination is completely painless and harmless, and can be carried out quickly.
Frequent applications
- diagnostics of the abdominal and pelvic organs (liver, gall bladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys and bladder)
- examination of soft tissues and joints
- examination of vessels (colour-coded duplex sonography)
- examination of the mammary gland
- examination for lymph node diagnostics
Colour-coded duplex sonography
Colour-coded duplex sonography is a special ultrasound examination for vascular diagnostics, in which blood flow can be imaged. Using the analysis of the blood velocity, significant constrictions in the vessels (vascular stenoses) and expansions (aneurysms) are indicated and can then be diagnosed.