Ultrasound Imaging
Ultrasound Imaging, sometimes called sonography, is an important medical diagnostic tool. It shows real-time live images in motion in a screen monitor. To produce images, ultrasound uses high frequency sound transmitted to the body through a transducer or scan probe.
There is no discomfort in ultrasound examination. The patient lies comfortably on an examination table. A gel is applied on the skin or body cavity at the site to be imaged. This is necessary to ensure adequate contact between the transducer and the patient.
Some examinations may require preparation of the patient for optimal imaging of particular organs. Sonography of the upper abdomen, especially when the organ of interest is the gallbladder of pancreas, would require fasting (n.p.o. – nothing per orem) for at least 6 – 8 hours. On the other hand, transabdominal ultrasound of the pelvic area (uterus and ovaries, urinary bladder, or prostate) would require holding of urine until the bladder is full, after intake of considerable volume of fluid. Other examination may not require patient preparation at all.
Screening. There are occasions when the ultrasound help the clinicians screening patients, especially in the industrial medicine setting. For patients with elevated liver profile enzymes or with reactive hepatitis, screening ultrasound of the liver may help determine if the condition is advanced enough to produce morphologic changes in the liver parenchyma.
Diabetic patients may also be subjected to ultrasound of the gallbladder since there is increased incidence of gallstones in diabetic patients. The kidney may also be screened sonographically for diabetic nephrosclerosis or lithiasis.
When the routine urinalysis show abnormal cells, casts or chemistry, urinary bladder may be requested to categorize patients.
Male patients above the age of 40 may undergo screening for prostatic enlargement which is a common complaint oftentimes resulting in disturbances in the urinary tract due to obstruction. When there is suspicion of inguinal hernia, or in the presence of a suspected testicular mass, ultrasound of the scrotum may be employed.
Female patients may be screened for very early pregnancy using the transvaginal sonography, even as early as 5 weeks menstrual age.
The thyroid gland may be examined sonographically in suspected diffuse goiter of if there is a palpable thyroid nodule. This could differentiate the benign cyst from the potentially malignant masses.
In the clinical setting, with patients seeking consultations for a variety of complaints, signs and symptoms, the ultrasound can be most valuable in identifying the pathologies and help the clinician in the management decisions.
The St. Jude Hospital Department of Radiology
and Ultrasound currently
offers a wide selected of ultrasound examinations for different
organ systems. The following organ examinations may now be requested
in the Department:
Liver
Gallbladder
Liver
Pancreas
Spleen
Abdominal aorta
urinary tract – kidneys , ureters and urinary bladder
transabdominal prostate
transrectal prostate
scrotal
transabdominal pelvic – uterus, ovaries
transvaginal or transrectal pelvic – uterus cervix, endometrium,
ovaries
transvaginal first trimester pregnancy
transabdominal second / third trimester pregnancy
congenital scanning at 20 – 22 weeks gestation
biophysical profile
thyroid
breast
other small parts of the musculoskeletal system
Sometimes, examinations may be modified, additional maneuvers may
be employed, or the examination may even be repeated after additional
preparation. These are done additional preparation. These are done
with the purpose of ensuring the most complete and correct diagnosis
for the patient.
It is best to coordinate with the staff of the Department for scheduling
of the patients, and the proper guidance in examination sequencing
and in patient preparation.
MA. PURIFICACION B. CAPELLAN, M.D.
Fellow and Diplomate, Philippine College of Radiology
Fellow and Diplomate, Ultrasound Society of the Philippines
EDUARDO A. REYES, M.D.
Fellow and Diplomate, Philippine College of Radiology
Fellow and Diplomate, Ultrasound Society of the Philippines
Fellow and Diplomate, CT - MRI Society of the Philippines
The technologies staff of the Department are all highly trained
and certified by government.
Patient Preparation:
For examinations involving the upper abdomen (Particularly
the gallbladder and the pancreas)
1. Nothing per orem (n.p.o.) 6 - 8 hours prior to the examination.
No solid or liquid intake.
2. Avoid smoking
For transabdominal examinations involving the lower abdomen (uterus, ovaries, urinary bladder, prostate)
1. Take large volume of fluid (6 - 8 glasses)
2. Do not urinate. Ultrasound will be done while the urinary bladder is full.
For second / third trimester pregnancy examination, no preparation is necessary
For transvaginal or transrectal examinations, no preparation is necessary
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Provide optimum and total patient care through comprehensive pharmaceutical
services that complies with the needs of the patients in close collaboration
with different departments and services that will give an excellent
quality, safe and affordable drugs and service to its patients
Location: ground floor of the hospital building
Operating hours: 24 hrs a day and seven days a week
Services:
1. Drug Distribution and Control
A. Dispensing inpatient/outpatient prescriptions
Flower arrangements are allowed to be brought to patients’ rooms
except in the intensive care units for infection control purposes.
- over the counter, prescription controlled, regulated dangerous
- stat, prn orders, IV fluids
B. Emergency cart monitoring
C. Drug purchasing and inventory
Inventory Control -responsible for the management and procurement of all items in the pharmacy inventory. Ensures availability of medications and supplies at all times
D. Drug formulary
2. Educational Services
A. pharmacy staff training
B. pharmacy internship
3. Computer Service
A. Posting of Bills (Charging) for ambulatory and in-patients
B. Inventory
C. Discounts
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