+ Overview

Marina’s sonographers are highly qualified and experienced in all aspects of ultrasonography. Some of the many ultrasound scans performed by our sonography staff include: musculoskeletal, vascular, abdominal, obstetrics and gynaecological, and liver fibrosis scans. Marina has both female and male sonographers who are sensitive to the various needs of our patients, to ensure the most comfortable experience for you.

+ Preparation

When attending your appointment, please bring your referral from your medical practitioner, Medicare card and all other relevant health care cards. Please also bring any previous scans or reports relating to the region being scanned, if they were not undertaken at Marina. To allow adequate time to conduct the procedure, please ensure you arrive on time for your scheduled appointment.

Preparation is dependent on the area of the body you are having scanned, and our staff will inform you of these specifics when booking your appointment. Unless otherwise advised, continue taking your usual medications and please see our FAQs below for an overview of the preparation you may be asked to adhere to.

+ Overview

Obstetric ultrasounds go by a variety of names, including: pregnancy ultrasounds, baby ultrasounds, pregnancy scans, and fetal ultrasound, to name a few. Marina Radiology employs sophisticated imaging systems to produce high quality images for obstetric monitoring and diagnoses. Our professionally trained and accredited sonographers and doctors undergo regular specialist seminars and training to ensure they continue to provide you with superior care.

Nuchal Translucency Ultrasound

A nuchal translucency scan is a type of ultrasound which is ideally performed between weeks 12 and 13 of gestation. It is used, in conjunction with a blood test, to help determine your baby’s risk of certain chromosomal abnormalities.

Nuchal translucency (NT) refers to the pocket of fluid at the nape of your baby’s neck. In some chromosomal disorders, the thickness of this region is greater than would be in a foetus of the same age with no chromosomal anomalies.

This examination can only be performed during a specific period of the pregnancy – weeks 12 and 13 of gestation. The reason for this is if the scan is performed before week 12, your baby will most likely be too small to perform the necessary measurements accurately and, if performed after week 13, your baby’s lymphatic system may have absorbed any excess fluid.

Your practitioner will also refer you for a separate blood test. By combining both sets of results a more accurate calculation of your baby’s chromosomal anomaly risk level can be ascertained.

+ Preparation

When attending your appointment, please bring your referral from your medical practitioner, Medicare card and any other relevant health care cards. Please also bring any previous scans or reports relating to the region being scanned, if they were not undertaken at Marina. To allow adequate time to conduct the procedure, please ensure you arrive on time for your scheduled appointment.

To ensure the clarity of images, it is important that you attend your appointment with a full bladder. To achieve this, one hour prior to your appointment empty your bladder then drink at least 500ml of water immediately after. You can eat and take any medication necessary as per normal however are asked not to empty your bladder again until after your appointment.

+ The Scan

To assist with conduction of the ultrasound waves, ultrasound gel will be applied to your abdomen. A hand held probe, which transmits, receives and consolidates the ultrasound waves, will then be moved over your stomach. The scan will not cause any pain or discomfort to either yourself or your baby. Depending on the position of your baby, the scan can take between 15 to 60 minutes in duration.

As a diagnostic tool, ultrasounds are extremely accurate. On the rare occasion though, some abnormalities may be undetectable at the time of your appointment, due to normal variations such as the position or age of your baby. It is not unusual for the sonographer or radiologist to request subsequent scans or tests and should not be a cause for alarm.

+ Results

Your referring practitioner will receive the images from the scan immediately via our online portal. Once one of our specialist doctors (radiologist) has reviewed and assessed your scan, the report will be sent to your practitioner either electronically, or by fax.

Our staff are here to help, and they are more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Please be aware however, that sonographers are unable to provide specific information about your scan. This information will be given to you by your referring practitioner, hence Marina strongly advises you to schedule a follow up appointment with your doctor.

+ Overview

Whilst standard ultrasounds use ultrasonic sound waves to build up an image of internal tissues, shear wave elastography does this, and also measures the elasticity of the tissue. The degree of elasticity of the tissue reflects if there is any fibrosis or scarring to it and, if so, the extent of this.

+ Preparation

When attending your appointment, please bring your referral from your medical practitioner, Medicare card and all other relevant health care cards. Please also bring any previous scans or reports relating to the region being scanned, if they were not undertaken at Marina. To allow adequate time to conduct the procedure, please ensure you arrive on time for your scheduled appointment.

To prepare for a shear wave, you are required to not eat, drink or smoke for 8 hours prior to your scan. Please inform our staff at the time of booking if you are a diabetic.

Should you have any questions or concerns about your examination, our staff are more than happy to assist, so please do not hesitate to contact us.

+ The Scan

To assist with conduction of the ultrasound waves, ultrasound gel will be applied to your abdomen. A hand held probe, which transmits, receives and consolidates the ultrasound waves, will then be moved over your stomach. This process does not cause any discomfort or pain. It typically takes approximately 30 minutes to complete the investigation and obtain the images required.

+ Results

Your referring practitioner will receive the images from the scan immediately via our online portal. Once one of our specialist doctors (radiologist) has reviewed and assessed your scan, the report will be sent to your practitioner either electronically, or by fax.

Following your scan, Marina strongly advises that you return to your physician to discuss your results and subsequent treatment.

+ Does ultrasound use radiation?

No. Ultrasounds operate by transmitting and collecting inaudible ultrasound waves which are both harmless and non-irritating to adults, children and even unborn babies.

+ Is the sonographer able to check other areas that I have concerns about?

No. The sonographer is only able to investigate the region/s specified on your referral form by your practitioner. However, should you have any other questions or areas of concern, please discuss these with your sonographer as they may assist in the diagnosis of the condition being investigated.

+ Am I allowed to eat before having a pelvic/abdominal ultrasound?

Yes. Eating is permitted before a pelvic/abdominal ultrasound. You are however, required to have a full bladder for the study. Thus you will need to drink 500ml of water 1 hour before the scan and refrain from using the toilet prior to the examination.

+ Can my sonographer tell me the results from the scan?

You will receive all findings from your scan from your referring practitioner. The responsibility of the sonographer is to perform and produce high quality images for the radiologist to interpret.

+ Why does my doctor want me to have an ultrasound?

Ultrasounds are a standard procedure undertaken to monitor the health of both baby and mother during pregnancy. There are numerous reasons why your doctor may wish for you to receive an ultrasound including, and not limited to:

• Determine the gestational age of your baby

• Monitor the growth of your baby

• Establish the number of babies gestating

• Check for any potential abnormalities

• Investigation following bleeding or other complications

+ What is a Nuchal Translucency scan?

Nuchal Translucency is a specific type of ultrasound, conducted ideally between weeks 12 and 13 of pregnancy. Combining the results from your scan and a blood test, nuchal translucency scans screen for chromosomal abnormalities, such as Downs Syndrome, that your baby may be at risk of.

+ Am I allowed to eat before my pregnancy scan?

Yes, you are allowed to eat and take any medications as per normal. The only requirement for the scan is a full bladder, therefore, one hour before your appointment you will need to drink 500ml of water and refrain from going to the toilet thereafter.

+ Is an ultrasound safe for my baby?

Ultrasounds are very safe for both mother and baby. Ultrasounds operate purely by the transmission and collection of inaudible sound waves, and thus are radiation free.

+ Will the sonographer inform me if they find a problem?

You will receive all the results of your scan from your referring practitioner. The responsibility of the sonographer is to perform and produce high quality images for the radiologist to interpret.

+ What is the difference between shear wave elastography and shear wave ultrasound?

There is no difference. They are simply different names for the same examination.

+ Does shear wave elastography use radiation?

No. Shear wave elastography functions in the same manner as standard ultrasounds; transmitting and collecting inaudible ultrasound waves through a handheld probe. The ultrasound waves are both harmless and non-irritating to adults, children and even unborn babies.

+ Is the sonographer able to check other areas that I have concerns about?

No. The sonographer is only able to investigate the region/s specified on your referral form by your practitioner. However, should you have any other questions or areas of concern, please discuss these with your sonographer as they may assist in the diagnosis of the condition being investigated.

+ Can my sonographer tell me the results from the scan?

You will receive all findings from your scan from your referring practitioner. The responsibility of the sonographer is to perform and produce high quality images for the radiologist to interpret.