Ultrasound

An ultrasound scanner sends sound waves through the body. These waves are reflected by the body and these reflected waves are converted to images that can be viewed on a screen. A gel is applied over the region to be scanned. This gel reduces the amount of air between the skin and the sound head, and also the friction between them.

In addition to general ultrasound scans we also provide scans to help date pregnancies and also to diagnose a wide variety of foetal abnormalities. Use of the ultrasound has revolutionised the care of pregnant women. Doppler scans are also offered to study arteries and veins of the body.

Scans offered - ultrasound examinations of:

• Abdomen, chest, pelvis
• Salivary glands
• Lumps and bumps
• Infant hips, head, spine
• Thyroid, other neck organs
• Testes
• Kidneys
• Transrectal/pelvic floor scans for prostate
• Muscles, tendons and joints
• Transvaginal (internal examinations usually performed to study the uterus and ovaries) examination of the pelvis
• Venous sytems – upper and lower limbs to exclude clots (DVT) and for assessment of varicose veins
• Duplex scans of the arterial systems
• Carotid Doppler examinations

Obstetric ultrasound scanning:

• Early pregnancy assessment - viability
• 12 week dating scans
• nuchal transluency scans
• follicle tracking
• routine 20-week scans
• growth scans
• doppler scans
• scans for retained products

One Stop Clinics

We provide one stop clinics for patients with post-menopausal bleeding, neck and thyroid lumps and haematuria. However direct referrals from primary care for these services is not encouraged presently - patients should be referred to the relevant clinic which will then organise immediate imaging.

Prescan preparation

Please refer to your appointment letter for information regarding eating, drinking and your normal medications. Some scans may have to be performed with a full bladder or in a fasting state.

Sites providing ultrasound scanning:

• Dorchester Radiology Department
• Blandford
• Bridport
• Weymouth – General ultrasound only

Timings:
9am to 7pm
Out of hours services are provided at Dorchester site for emergency patients being referred from the wards and casualty.

Appointments:
Please call 01305 254428 for enquiries and to change appointments. Routine appointments are usually provided in 4 weeks time from the date of receipt of request from the clinicians.

Please call East Wing appointments for obstetric scanning.

Results:
We will not be able to provide immediate results to the patients as the images may have to be reviewed by the radiologists prior to formulating a report, which is then sent on to the clinicians.You are requested to contact your referring clinician for the results in 10 days time unless you have been given any other specific instructions.

Back to Services List