Most ultrasounds are painless and non-invasive, though some may involve slight pressure or, in the case of certain pelvic exams, an internal probe. Depending on the type of scan, you might be asked to fast beforehand, drink water to fill your bladder, or wear loose clothing. Procedures usually take between 15 and 45 minutes. If you’re having a biopsy or elastography, these may include minor discomfort or additional preparation. Overall, ultrasound is a safe, routine imaging method with no radiation exposure.
Musculoskeletal ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique used to assess muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints. It helps diagnose conditions like tendonitis, tears and sprains.
This safe, radiation-free procedure provides real-time images, aiding in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Overview:
What is a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Scan?
Ultrasound can be used to provide detailed images of muscles, tendons and ligaments throughout the body. Ultrasound scans can assess and diagnose injuries, inflammation as well as causes of acute or chronic musculoskeletal pain. An x-ray of the region may be recommended. This provides assessment of bony structures not seen on ultrasound.
Why Might I Need a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound?
Your doctor may recommend a musculoskeletal ultrasound if you have suspected:
This procedure is helpful in diagnosing and guiding the treatment of conditions like rotator cuff injuries, tennis elbow, and more.
What to Expect
Is Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Safe?
Yes. There are no known risks associated with ultrasound, making it a preferred method for imaging, especially for pregnant women, and children.
After the Exam
Results: The ultrasound images will be reviewed by a radiologist and sent to your doctor. Please book an appointment with your referring doctor to discuss the findings. Most results are available within a few days.
An upper-abdominal and renal ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique used to assess the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, and bladder. It helps diagnose conditions like kidney stones, liver disease, or gallstones.
Using high-frequency sound waves, this safe procedure provides clear, detailed images for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Overview:
What is an Upper-Abdomen and Renal Ultrasound?
Ultrasound scans can visualise your liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys and bladder. Not all causes of abdominal pain can be identified with ultrasound, but because this test is safe and free from radiation, it will often be used as an initial investigation.
Why is this Test Performed?
Your doctor may recommend an upper abdomen and renal ultrasound if you are experiencing symptoms like:
How Should I Prepare?
For an upper abdomen ultrasound, preparation is typically required:
For a renal ultrasound, please finish drinking 1 litre of water, 1 hour before your examination so that you arrive with a full bladder. Please do not empty your bladder. If your bladder is not full your examination may be delayed or rescheduled.
What Happens During the Ultrasound?
Is the Ultrasound Safe?
Yes, an ultrasound is very safe. It uses sound waves instead of radiation. It is a non-invasive and painless procedure.
After the Ultrasound
The ultrasound images will be reviewed by a radiologist and sent to your doctor. Please book an appointment with your referring doctor to discuss the findings. Most results are available within a few days.
An ultrasound-guided biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure used to obtain tissue samples. Real-time ultrasound imaging is used to help guide a needle to an area where a tissue sample is needed. The needle is then inserted into the tissue, and a small sample is taken for testing in a laboratory.
The procedure ensures precise needle placement, allowing for accurate tissue sampling. This diagnostic tool helps identify conditions such as cancer, cysts, or infections.
Overview:
By obtaining a tissue sample, the doctor can determine whether a condition is benign or malignant and recommend the best course of treatment.
How is the Procedure Done?
Preparation:
Ultrasound Imaging:
Biopsy Procedure:
After the Procedure:
What to Expect After the Procedure?
Potential Risks and Complications?
While ultrasound-guided biopsies are generally safe, there are some potential risks, including:
If you experience any unusual symptoms after the biopsy, such as excessive pain, swelling, redness, fever, or if you notice blood in your urine, stool, or vomit, contact your doctor immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pelvic and gynaecological ultrasound are non-invasive imaging techniques used to assess the female reproductive organs. It helps diagnose conditions like ovarian cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, and uterine abnormalities.
Using high-frequency sound waves, this safe and painless procedure provides clear images for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
What is a Pelvic Ultrasound?
A pelvic ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to create images of the organs and structures in your pelvic area, including the uterus & ovaries. It helps your doctor diagnose and monitor various conditions such as pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, cysts or fibroids.
Before Your Exam
Booking:
Preparation:
During the Exam
Procedure:
What is a Transvaginal Ultrasound?
A transvaginal ultrasound provides the best views of the ovaries and uterus, and in most cases is recommended. For this, a thin probe is inserted into the vagina to provide closer images of your uterus and ovaries.
You may be asked to empty your bladder before this part of the exam.
Transvaginal scans are not performed on young girls, those who have not been sexually active or those who choose not to have this type of scan.
If this exam is not appropriate for you, please let the sonographer know.
After the Exam
Results:
The ultrasound images will be reviewed by a radiologist and sent to your doctor. Please book in an appointment with your referring doctor to discuss the findings. Most results are available within a few days.
Safety
Vaginal ultrasound probes are sterilised and covered by a disposable sheath for each patient. There are no known risks associated with ultrasound, making it a preferred method for imaging, especially for pregnant women and children.
An early pregnancy ultrasound is a medical imaging procedure typically performed between 6 to 10 weeks of pregnancy to confirm the viability of the pregnancy and check for the baby’s heartbeat. It uses sound waves to create images of the developing foetus inside the uterus.
The ultrasound can help determine the gestational age, check for multiple pregnancies (twins or more), and rule out complications like ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage. In the early stages, a transvaginal ultrasound is often used, where a small probe is inserted into the vagina to get clearer images.
What is an Early Pregnancy Ultrasound?
An early pregnancy ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging procedure that uses sound waves to create an image of your pregnancy in the womb. This ultrasound is typically performed in the first trimester, usually between 6 and 10 weeks of pregnancy, to help confirm and evaluate the early stages of pregnancy.
Why is an Early Pregnancy Ultrasound Performed?
Your healthcare provider may recommend an early pregnancy ultrasound for several reasons, including:
What to Expect During the Ultrasound
What Happens After the Ultrasound?
After the examination, the images will be reviewed by our radiologist. In some cases, you may be able to see the images immediately.
Is it Safe?
Ultrasound is a very safe procedure, with no known risks to you or your baby. It does not use radiation like X-rays and is widely regarded as a safe way to monitor the progress of a pregnancy.
12-Week Ultrasound
A 12-week ultrasound, typically performed in the first trimester, is used to assess the baby’s development, check for a heartbeat, and confirm the due date based on the size of the foetus. It also helps detect early signs of conditions like Down syndrome through measurements such as the nuchal translucency.
20-Week Ultrasound
The 20-week ultrasound, also known as the anatomy scan, occurs in the second trimester and provides a detailed look at the baby’s organs, bones, and overall growth. It’s used to check for structural abnormalities, confirm the due date, and, if desired, reveal the baby’s gender. Both ultrasounds are important for monitoring pregnancy health and foetal development.
What is an Obstetric Ultrasound?
An obstetric ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging procedure that uses sound waves to create pictures of your baby in the womb. It provides valuable information about your baby’s growth, development, and general health during pregnancy. Ultrasound is safe for both you and your baby and is a routine part of prenatal care.
Types of Obstetric Ultrasound:
12-13 week Nuchal Translucency (NT) Scan:
What is it?
The Nuchal Translucency (NT) scan is usually performed between 12-13 weeks. It measures the fluid at the back of your baby’s neck. The amount of fluid present is one of the markers used to assess the risk of certain chromosomal conditions, such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21), trisomy 18, and trisomy 13.
Why is it important?
A higher-than-normal amount of fluid may indicate an increased risk for chromosomal abnormalities, though many babies with a thicker NT fold are healthy. The NT scan is usually combined with blood tests to give a more complete risk assessment.
What to expect?
During the NT scan, you will lie on an examination table, and a gel will be applied to your abdomen. A small device called a transducer will be placed on your belly to capture the images. The scan usually takes 20-30 minutes.
20-Week Morphology Scan (Anatomy Scan):
What is it?
The 20-week morphology scan, also known as the anatomy scan, is typically performed around 20-22 weeks of pregnancy. This scan provides a detailed examination of your baby’s development. It allows the healthcare provider to check the baby’s growth and to evaluate the structure of the organs, limbs, and other body parts.
Why is it important?
This scan helps identify structural abnormalities such as problems with the heart, brain, spine, kidneys, or limbs. It also provides information on the location of the placenta and how much amniotic fluid is present.
What to expect?
The procedure is similar to the NT scan. You’ll lie on your back, and gel will be applied to your belly. The technician will use a transducer to capture images of your baby. You may be able to see your baby’s features and movements on the screen, which can be a very exciting moment! The scan usually takes 30-45 minutes.
Preparing for Your Ultrasound:
What Happens After the Ultrasound?
Is There Any Risk to My Baby?
No, ultrasound is considered a safe procedure during pregnancy. It does not use radiation, and there is no evidence to suggest it poses a risk to you or your baby.
Liver elastography is a specialised, non-invasive imaging technique used to assess liver stiffness, helping to detect conditions like fibrosis, cirrhosis, and fatty liver disease. Using ultrasound or MRI technology, this procedure measures tissue elasticity, providing valuable insights into liver health without the need for a biopsy. Safe and painless, elastography aids in early diagnosis and monitoring.
What is Liver Elastography?
Liver elastography is a non-invasive test that measures the stiffness of your liver. This test is used to assess the degree of liver fibrosis (scarring) caused by conditions such as:
Why is Liver Elastography Performed?
Your healthcare provider may recommend liver elastography to:
Unlike a liver biopsy, elastography is a non-invasive, quick, and painless procedure.
How is the Procedure Performed?
Liver elastography is done using a small, handheld device called a FibroScan. The device sends a painless pulse of vibration through your liver, which the device measures to determine the stiffness of the tissue.
Is Liver Elastography Safe?
Yes, liver elastography is safe, with no known side effects. Unlike a biopsy, there is no risk of bleeding or infection.
What Should You Expect During and After the Procedure?
Results of the Test:
The results of your liver elastography will be interpreted by your healthcare provider. The results are usually available within a few days, and your doctor will discuss the findings with you, including whether any further treatment or follow-up care is needed.
Who Should Not Have Liver Elastography?
While liver elastography is safe for most people, it may not be suitable if:
Please inform your healthcare provider if any of these conditions apply to you.
Yes. There are no known risks associated with ultrasound, making it a preferred method for imaging, especially for pregnant women, and children.
Yes. There are no known risks associated with ultrasound, making it a preferred method for imaging, especially for pregnant women, and children.
In Australia, radiology referrals are not clinic-specific. You can use a referral made out to another clinic here.
A study is only as good as the specialist reporting it. Our team are experienced and broadly knowledgeable radiologists with sub-specialised training.
We have invested in the latest imaging technology to ensure our patients enjoy the safest clinical experience possible.
Onsite Radiologists means rapid turn-around of reports, with written correspondence sent within 2–24hours.
Urgent appointments are always accommodated. Simply call reception.
In Australia, radiology referrals are not clinic-specific. You can use a referral made out to another clinic here.
A study is only as good as the specialist reporting it. Our team are experienced and broadly knowledgeable radiologists with sub-specialised training.
We have invested in the latest imaging technology to ensure our patients enjoy the safest clinical experience possible.
Onsite Radiologists means rapid turn-around of reports, with written correspondence sent within 2–24hours.
Urgent appointments are always accommodated. Simply call reception.
If you have any questions or concerns about the procedure, please feel free to contact our friendly staff.
If you wish to make a booking or require urgent attention, please get in touch with our friendly team to make a booking.
We are NOT open to the public yet as our clinic is still under construction. Our official opening date is scheduled to be late February 2026.
