Book Ultrasound Test in Chennai
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Lab Infrastructure in Chennai
The overall healthcare system of Chennai has undergone distinct changes to support the different prevalent diseases of the city. The laboratories and the diagnostic centres have emerged as important sections of the healthcare settings that help extensively for the diagnosis and treatment of the different diseases.
Some of the common conditions in the city are dengue, cholera, aids, influenza, chickenpox, hepatitis, leprosy, and diphtheria. The preponderance of COVID-19 infection has also emerged as a primary concern amongst the health care sector.
The laboratories are well-equipped, constituting high-end sensitive instruments and precise and standardised techniques. They try to procure accurate and robust results that are essential to treat the prevalent diseases of the city.
The government laboratories and the diagnostic centres also play their discrete role in conducting investigational procedures at economic rates. They try to support the hospitals and doctors in conducting accurate and necessary treatment for the diseases.
Chennai has more than 50 governmental laboratories that conduct Ultrasound scans. The prominent governmental laboratories of Chennai are the Drugs Testing Laboratory, State Public Health Laboratory, Chemical Testing, and Analytical Laboratory, Structural Health Monitoring Laboratory, etc. The laboratories have contributed immensely to developing novel treatment strategies that are relevant to the prevailing disease burden of the city.
Why Book an Ultrasound?
Diagnostic Ultrasound is also known as sonography or diagnostic medical sonography. It utilises high-frequency sound waves and produces images of the structures within the body. The images provide important information that is necessary for diagnosing and treating the different diseases or conditions of the body.
Ultrasound is predominantly done due to the following reasons:
- To detect abnormalities in the abdomen, kidneys, tissues, joints, ovaries, or gallbladder.
- It helps to monitor the growth and development of the foetus.
- The technique is capable of diagnosing several medical conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, etc.
- It detects and diagnoses swelling and pain in the abdominal region.
- Ultrasound evaluates increased and decreased blood flow and blood clots.
- It helps in the assessment and evaluation of the hips, brain, and spine of infants.
- Ultrasound also guides surgeons during biopsies and helps them to remove sample tissues for testing.
- It also helps to diagnose heart conditions and also evaluate the heart after cardiac attacks.
What All Tests are Included in Ultrasound?
The classification of Ultrasound depends upon the organ or the specific area of the body concerned. Ultrasound is categorised according to the type of requirement or disease condition in different parts of the body. In case of abdominal pain or swelling, pregnancy, then Ultrasound for the whole abdomen is recommended. The prominent areas of evaluation that are possible by abdominal Ultrasound are the abdominal aorta and other blood vessels of the abdomen, spleen, gallbladder, pancreas, liver, kidneys.
In case of persistent issues in the kidney or bladders, an Ultrasound of the KUB (i.e. kidney, urethra, or bladders) is suggested.
A pelvic Ultrasound is recommended for detection and/or evaluation of Kidney Stones and/or stones in the urinary bladder for both men and women.
Apart from kidney stones, Ultrasound is required to scan the prostate gland in men. For women, it is performed to monitor the growth and development of the foetus during pregnancy, cervix, ovaries and fallopian tubes, and bladder.
What Preparation is Required for An Ultrasound Test?
The degree of preparation for an Ultrasound varies according to the organ that needs to be examined –
- In the case of abdominal Ultrasound, a minimum of 12 hours of fasting is suggested by the doctor. This prevents food blockages during the test.
- An Ultrasound during pregnancy requires the patient to drink lots of water until the bladder is full. This ensures a better visualisation of the reproductive organs.
- The Ultrasound of the spleen, gallbladder, or liver requires the patient to consume a low-fat diet the previous night and also fast till the investigation is conducted.
- In the case of Ultrasound of the aorta, one may require to avoid eating 8-12 hours before the test. This prevents extensive gas buildup in the intestines.
- It is also advisable for the patient to inform all ongoing medications to the professional conducting the test.
- It is also suggested to wear loose clothing and remove any kind of metal or jewellery before the test.
What is the Average Cost of an Ultrasound in Chennai?
The cost of Ultrasound depends on the city, the lab partner, the specific recommendations made by the physician, and some other factors. The average cost of this test in Chennai is usually between 400 and 1200 INR. We highly recommend looking up the actual cost at the time of booking the appointment.
How to book An Ultrasound Test in Chennai?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is a doctor's prescription mandatory for a Ultrasound ?
Yes, a doctor’s note is mandatory for getting an ultrasound test done.
Are there any discounts running on MFine for the ultrasound?
You can avail up to 50% discount on MFine for ultrasound. This may vary based on your location and the preferred lab partner.
Will I get a report analysis after the test?
Yes, your report analysis will be done by an expert doctor for free on the MFine app.
Are there any packages available on MFine for scans?
Yes, there is the Healthy Heart Package and Complete Pollution Package that you can avail through MFine. These packages include multiple scans to detect problems or diseases.
Can I reschedule my appointment?
Yes, you can reschedule your appointment. However, it is subject to the availability of slots.
How to interpret the Ultrasound report?
The Ultrasound results are interpreted by a trained technician by analysing the images procured during the procedure. The technicians usually observe white spots on the images to identify the structure of the tissues, etc. The dark spots are related to the fluid-filled tissues like amniotic fluids in the uterus.
The reports are then transferred to the designated doctors to further study and suggest an appropriate diagnosis and treatment regimen.
What are the benefits of conducting an Ultrasound?
The prominent benefits that are associated with Ultrasounds include,
- They are painless and are non-invasive and hence do not require needles, injections, or incisions.
- Patients are not exposed to ionising radiations, thereby making the procedure safe compared to other diagnostic techniques like X-ray or CT-scan. There are no defined side effects reported by the Ultrasound technique.
- Ultrasound is capable of capturing images of soft tissues that are not well-defined on X-rays.
- Ultrasounds are widely accessible and are comparatively economical than other diagnostic methods.
Why is a low-fat meal recommended the evening before an Ultrasound?
A low-fat meal is suggested for patients conducting an Ultrasound of the gallbladder. This is mainly because the gallbladder constricts or squeezes any food or drink containing fat. This would make it difficult in obtaining a clear image necessary for accurate diagnosis.
Why do some Ultrasounds require fasting a few hours before the test?
Doctors usually recommend fasting for 8 to 12 hours before an abdominal Ultrasound. This is because food may result in gas production. This would make it difficult in creating a clear image of the abdomen, therefore making it difficult to interpret the images and the results.
Is an Ultrasound safe?
According to studies, Ultrasound is regarded as a safe procedure without any known potential harmful side effects. There is no virtual discomfort reported during the test. The respective technique does not use radiation like other diagnostic tests. However, any potential long-term impact of Ultrasound is not recognized.
What are the limitations of Ultrasounds?
Some common limitations recognized during general Ultrasounds are as under:
- The technique cannot be used to study the lungs as it is filled with air which may pose difficulty in creating images.
- The technique also cannot be adapted to diagnose any bone diseases as it cannot penetrate through the dense bones.
- It is only capable of detecting growths and infections surrounding the outer layer of the bones.
What might affect Ultrasound results?
The prominent factors affecting Ultrasound results are as under:
- Severe obesity
- Unfilled bladders in certain cases or filled bladders in certain cases.
- The presence of food or beverages in the stomach tends to disrupt the original images.
- The gastrointestinal tract from the previous procedure or the presence of excess gas in the stomach may also influence the results.
What other tests are recommended along with Ultrasound?
Some tests are usually recommended by the doctor to check the health of the pelvic organs. These other tests are –
- Hysteroscopy: In this procedure, a thin device is inserted in the vaginal area to detect any uterine issues.
- Laparoscopy: In this technique, an illuminated thin tube is sent through the abdominal wall to check organs.
- Different doctors may perform other associated tests for the further diagnosis of diseases.
Define a limited Ultrasound?
A limited Ultrasound is usually performed to know about the definite aspects of pregnancy such as the location of the foetus (i.e. whether present inside the uterus or ectopic). It also ascertains whether the pregnancy is viable and also the gestational age. However, it does give an elaborate detail about the health of the baby but elucidates any relevant issues related to pregnancy.
What is a specialised Ultrasound test?
A specialized Ultrasound test addresses issues or problems associated with other tests. For instance, in case a foetus is not thriving, the growth rate of the foetus is evaluated using specialized Ultrasound, like a 3D Ultrasound.