Ultrasound Scan

Private ultrasound is available at The Edinburgh Clinic, with fast access to appointments with experienced sonographers and consultant radiologists within our calming, unique and quality clinical environment at The Edinburgh Clinic. Ultrasound investigation can be helpful in investigating a wide range of health concerns and areas of the body, including:

• abdomen
• fertility
• organs – renal tract, kidneys, gall bladder, pancreas and liver
• orthopaedic and sports injuries
• pelvis
• pregnancy scanning
• women’s health and gynaecological purposes, including internal, or ‘transvaginal’ investigation

Preparing for your scan

• Continue to take any prescribed medication unless you are told otherwise
• If you are diabetic please contact us to inform us in advance
• For abdominal ultrasound you will be required to fast for four hours prior to your scan. You may drink clear, non-fizzy liquids, such as water, but you may not drink milk in any beverages
• For pelvic and pregnancy ultrasound scans you will be required to attend for your scan with a full bladder prior to your examination. You may wish to arrive earlier than your appointment to prepare in the clinic with a soft drink.

Your scan

We have dedicated patient waiting areas and changing facilities to enable you to prepare for your scan in a friendly, comfortable and relaxed environment. You may be given a gown to change into depending on which area of the body is being scanned.

Once ready, your sonographer or consultant radiologist will accompany you into the scanning room and show you to the scanning bed. You will have a thin layer of clear gel spread onto your skin over the area to be scanned and the ultrasound probe will move over this area until a good image can be found. If you are having a transvaginal ultrasound your specialist will explain what will happen at the time of your scan. Ultrasound scanning is typically painless and will take between 15-30 minutes depending on which area is being scanned.

Your results

Your ultrasound scan is reported by a sub-specialist radiologist or sonographer, depending on the nature of your scan, typically within 48 hours. Your result will be sent to your referring clinician or healthcare professional and they will contact you directly. If you are having pregnancy scanning you will not receive a report from a radiologist, your sonographer will speak to you about your scan findings during your pregnancy scan appointment.