ULTRASOUND OF THE PELVIS:
Pelvic ultrasound in WOMEN assesses the health of:
1• Uterus
2• Cervix
3• Fallopian Tubes
4• Ovaries
5• Urinary Bladder
6• Obstetrical ultrasound assesses the health and growth of the embryo or fetus during the pregnancy. It can also give info of some of the pregnancy related complications.
In MEN it assesses the health of:
7• Prostate Glands
8• Seminal Vesicles
9• Urinary Bladder
Pelvis ultrasound could be done:
Transabdominal: In this scan a small amount of the gel is put over the skin of the lower abdomen and scan is done through the gel. The patient’s bladder needs to be full.
Transvaginally (For women): It is an internal ultrasound in which the probe lies in the vagina. The probe is about 2cms in diameter covered with a disposable sheath. A small amount of gel is applied at the tip of the probe and then it is gently inserted in the vagina. It is cleaned and sterilized after every use. Transvaginal ultrasound produces the better images because the probe lies closer to the pelvic structures. In transvaginal scan the patient’s bladder needs to be completely empty.
Transrectally (For men): It involves inserting of the probe into rectum.
Usually the symptoms experienced in pelvic conditions are:
1• Pain
2• Abnormal Bleeding
3• Menstrual problems
Ultrasound can identify the masses like ovarian cysts, Uterine Fibroids, Ovarian and Uterine cancers. It also can detect any congenital abnormality of the uterus, locate IUD, endometrial conditions, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).