Ultrasonography is an invaluable tool for diagnosis of a wide range of medical and surgical conditions. Ultrasound uses sound waves to form a picture of the interior of the body without using radiation. These images are complimentary to radiographs (x-rays) and provide vital information to aid in diagnosis and treatment.
Ultrasound is used in a wide range of conditions other than pregnancy diagnosis, including:
- Splenic and liver disease
- Abdominal masses, intestinal inflammation, foreign bodies and obstructions
- Kidney and urinary tract disease
- Pancreatitis
- Fluid accumulation in the chest or abdomen
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Muscle and tendon injuries and joint disease
- Eye swelling and retinal problems
- Heart disease (including patients with breathlessness, fainting, coughing, heart murmurs, hypertension, arrhythmia and for screening of certain breeds of cats and dogs)
