Sloane Street Investigations Ultrasound Services

General Ultrasound request form

Please note, a request form can only be accepted by Sloane Street Investigations once it has been fully completed and signed by the referring consultant or GP. Please do contact us if you have any queries.

Ultrasound Scans

Ultrasound is a safe form of imaging involving no ionising radiation. You feel nothing other than than the small amount of gel placed on your skin which gives better contact for the ultrasound transducer or probe. The probe (transducer) transmits high-frequency sound waves, inaudible to the human ear, through body tissues. The echoes from internal structures are reflected back to the probe and transformed into images on the screen.

Ultrasound Scans in detail

Abdominal ultrasound and aortic aneurysm screening - From £325

An abdominal ultrasound examines the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, spleen, pancreas and lymph nodes as well as the blood vessels within the abdomen. This includes the aorta which can occasionally become enlarged (aneurysmal), when treatments with a stent-like device inserted inside the aorta (or occasionally surgery) can be life saving, avoiding rupture. There are many trials showing screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms reduces mortality. We would suggest having an aortic aneurysm screening scan from the age of 65, or earlier if you have other pre-disposing risk factors or relevant family history.

Abdominal ultrasound is also useful for looking at all types of hernias.

Patient preparation: You will be asked not to eat anything 6 hours prior to the examination. However, you may still take any medication with sips of water.

Renal ultrasound

A renal ultrasound examines your bladder, kidneys and the tubes draining urine from the kidneys to the bladder (ureters).

Patient preparation: This examination requires you to arrive with a full bladder, so we advise you to drink 1- 1.5 litres of water 1 hour prior to your examination. You are advised not to eat anything for 4 hours before.

Breast ultrasound

Breast ultrasound can help determine whether an area palpated in an examination or seen on a mammogram is solid tissue, normal tissue or filled with fluid. It is helpful in diagnosis of fluid filled cysts or fibroadenomas and is an adjunct to mammography. Breast ultrasound is the preferred method of breast screening in women under 40.

Patient preparation: You may want to wear trousers or a skirt on the day of your examination so that you only need to remove your top.

Thyroid ultrasound

A thyroid ultrasound examines the gland located centrally in the lower neck. It is used to assess the size of the gland and to find out if there are nodules or lesions within the gland.

You will lie flat with your head at the back of a pillow. Ultrasound gel is placed on the skin over the neck and a probe is gently applied on the skin.

Patient preparation: No special pre-preparation required, you can eat and drink normally before.

Scrotal ultrasound

An ultrasound of the scrotum and testes. The scan examines the testicles, as well as the area around them, including the blood supply and drainage of the testicles. The test is indicated when a patient is experiencing pain or swelling or if there is a concern about a mass.

Patient preparation: No special patient pre-preparation required.

Transvaginal and pelvic ultrasound

An ultrasound of the pelvis or transvaginal ultrasound is used to examine the uterus, ovaries and Fallopian tubes. The invasive transvaginal ultrasound obtains higher quality images than a transabdominal pelvic scan.

During a transvaginal examination a specialised probe, which is covered by a lubricated non-latex protector, is inserted in the vaginal canal about 2 to 3 inches.

During a transabdominal pelvic examination ultrasound gel is applied to the area and a probe is applied against the skin of the pelvic area and lower abdomen.

Patient preparation: If a transabdominal pelvic ultrasound (not a transvaginal ultrasound) is performed it is essential to drink 1 litre of water an hour before the examination.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound

Musculoskeletal ultrasound is used to produce images of muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments to diagnose soft tissue conditions such as muscle tears, joint inflammations and tendon problems.

You will be positioned on a bed; gel and then the probe will be applied to the area being studied.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound-guided steroid injections

A steroid injection may be given into a joint, tendon or cystic structure (bursa), to reduce inflammation. It is commonly given as a treatment for bursa inflammation (bursitis), tendon and tendon sheath inflammation (tenosynovitis), as well as joint lining inflammation (synovitis).

The area that requires treating will be first numbed with local anaesthetic and then, using ultrasound guidance, the doctor will position a fine needle into the target area. Once the needle is correctly positioned, an injection of steroid is usually given along with a long-acting local anaesthetic.

After the procedure you may not have any pain for a few hours. However, when the local anaesthetic wears off the pain will return and can be slightly worse than before the injection for a couple of days. Following the initial increase in discomfort most people should notice an improvement within a few days to a week.

You will be given advice on aftercare.