Ultrasound if carried out correctly is one of the most effective diagnostic tools in healthcare.
Your health and wellbeing are one of the most important things in your life and should not be taken for granted. We understand your Doctor has referred you for an examination and we assure you at our clinic, we will deliver a high quality examination and will make every effort to get to the source of your problem. All examinations will be reviewed by a Consultant Radiologist who will then send a detailed report to your Doctor, outlining the ultrasound findings and any recommendations. We offer a full range of medical examinations detailed below.
Abdominal Scan
Abdominal ultrasounds are the most common scan we perform.
The main organs visualised with this type of ultrasound include the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, pancreas, kidneys, spleen and abdominal aorta. The role of the liver which is the second-largest organ in the body is to process nutrients absorbed by the bowel, fight infections, remove toxins from the body such as alcohol, control cholesterol and release bile to name a few.
The gallbladder which is a sac that stores the bile produced from the liver and releases it via the biliary tract to the gut. Gallstones can form within the gallbladder which may cause pain and indigestion.
The pancreas is responsible for producing insulin and regulating the blood sugar in the bloodstream. The kidneys are responsible for filtering the toxins from the blood and also regulate your blood pressure. Kidney stones are very common and can cause pain and sometimes obstruction that can cause blood in urine. The spleen is part of the immune system and filters the blood. The abdominal aorta is the largest artery in the abdomen. With age and certain risk factors, the walls of this vessel can weaken causing enlargement which can lead to an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) which if undetected can rupture causing death (see abdominal aortic aneurysm screening section for more detail).
Common indications for having an abdominal ultrasound include:
Vomiting
Gallstones
Liver Cirrhosis
Jaundice
Cysts
Abdominal pain and/or bloating
Abnormal liver function tests (LFTs)
Suspected fatty liver
Follow up on previous findings such as cysts, gallstones, polyps, kidney stones
Tumours & Cancers
During this examination the Radiographer will place gel on your abdomen and ask you to move in certain positions and possibly take some breath holds if you are able. The Radiographer will produce the necessary images which will be reviewed and reported on by a Consultant Radiologist. For this study you will be required to fast prior to the examination for 6 hours. You may continue to drink clear fluids and take all medications as prescribed. The examination should take no longer than 20 – 30 mins.
Please inform us if you are diabetic and we will schedule you for an early morning appointment.
Cost: €180
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
Abdominal aortic screening is a diagnostic test to check if there is a bulge or swelling in your aorta. This bulge or swelling is called an aneurysm.
An aneurysm can be life threatening if not caught early and treated. Very often you will have no symptoms of an aneurysm and it can go undetected for a long time. If an aneurysm goes undetected and increases in size, it could rupture (burst) and cause life-threatening bleeding in your tummy.
Ultrasound can detect an aneurysm before it bursts. If an aneurysm is detected, your Doctor will decide, depending on its size, either to monitor your aneurysm or will discuss surgical treatments if there is a risk it may rupture. Men over 65 are most at risk of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Others at increased risk include:-
Patients with high blood pressure
Smokers and ex-smokers
Men or women with a parent or sibling who have had an aneurysm
If you are concerned you may have an aneurysm, you can book an aneurysm screening ultrasound by contacting our clinic directly.
Having your aorta screened for an aneurysm puts you in control of what’s going on in your abdomen. If the scan does not detect an aneurysm you have some reassurance and peace of mind.
The scan is simple, painless and takes approximately 15 minutes. The Radiographer applies a clear gel onto your skin and moves the ultrasound probe up and down your abdomen measuring the aorta carefully.
A Consultant Radiologist will also review and report your scan and a report will be sent to your GP.
Cost: €150
Male Pelvic Scan
A male pelvic ultrasound is used to visualise and assess your bladder, prostate gland and kidneys. An ultrasound measures how much fluid your bladder can hold when full, and determine if it empties completely. This is helpful if you are experiencing difficulty emptying your bladder. We measure the prostate gland as standard during the examination.
Common Indications for a male pelvic ultrasound include:
Bladder Tumours
Blood in the Urine
Enlarged Prostate
Raised PSA
Urinary Frequency/Urgency
Nocturia (multiple visits to the bathroom during the night)
Measure the Bladder
Bladder Stones
You will need to fill your bladder prior to the scan. Drink 1 pint of water 1 hour prior to your appointment. You will be asked to lie flat and remove any clothing from your abdomen. Gel will be placed on your abdomen and the ultrasound transducer moved gently across your torso examining your kidneys, prostate and bladder.
You may be asked to breathe in and hold your breath a number of times. When we have scanned your full bladder you will be asked to use the bathroom and completely empty your bladder. This will allow us to assess if you are emptying completely.
This scan takes approximately 15mins and is painless.
Cost €180
Abdominal & Pelvic Scan
A scan of the abdomen and pelvis are commonly requested together.
We offer a combined price for both scans. Please refer to information on the abdominal and pelvic scans in their individual sections.
Cost: €220
Renal Scan
Urinary tract problems are very common, affecting both men and women. The organs visualised during this examination include the kidneys, ureters, bladder and prostate (in males).
The kidneys are responsible for filtering the toxins from the blood and also regulate your blood pressure. Kidney stones are very common and can cause pain and sometimes obstruction that can present as blood in the urine.
Kidney stones can cause pain and also prevent normal drainage from the kidneys to the bladder by blocking the ureters resulting in what is known as hydronephrosis. If renal hydronephrosis is left untreated it can result in scarring and other significant problems with your kidneys. Bladder problems are also very common. In men, bladder problems can be associated with an enlarged prostate.
Common indications for having a renal/urinary tract ultrasound:
· Discomfort
· Detect Stones
· Detect Hydronephrosis
· Urinary Incontinence
· Polyps
· Cysts
· Chronic Kidney Disease
· High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
· Blood in the urine
· Renal angle pain
· Bladder issues
· Urinary tract infection
· Cystitis
· Abnormal kidney function
· Family history of kidney disease
· Abnormal Blood Tests
· Detect many tumours & cancers
During this examination the Radiographer will place gel over your right and left flanks (sides) and across your waist. For this study you will be required to drink 500 ml water 1 hour before your appointment in order to optimally fill your bladder for proper assessment.
Cost: €180
Neck/Thyroid Scan
Ultrasound is the examination of choice to evaluate the thyroid and neck. This scan examines the thyroid and adjacent structures such as submandibular glands and lymph nodes in the neck.
Common indications for having a Thyroid or neck ultrasound:
· Neck pain and discomfort
· Swollen salivary glands
· To find evidence of lymphadenopathy
· Follow up on previous findings such as enlarged lump, reactive lymph node or thyroid malfunction
· Abnormal thyroid function blood tests
· Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
· Difficulty in swallowing
· Goitre and abnormal swelling in the neck
· Evaluation of thyroid nodules
During the examination you will be asked to lie flat and remove clothing and jewellery from around your neck. Gel will be placed on your neck and the ultrasound transducer will be used to examine the underlying anatomy. Your images will be reviewed by our Consultant Radiologist and results will be available within 24 hours.
Cost €180
Testes Scan
Testicular ultrasound is the method of choice to examine the male reproductive organs, such as the testes, epididymis, spermatic cord and the scrotum.
The scrotum or testicular sac contains the testes and the epididymis. It is very common for pain or lumps to develop within the scrotal sac. In most cases these lumps are benign.
Common indications for having a testicular ultrasound include:
Investigate lumps such as cysts and testicular malignancy
Investigate the reasons for testicular pain such as epididymitis, torsion
Follow-up scan to monitor known conditions such as cysts or hydrocoeles
To identify reasons for scrotal swelling
Exclude Testicular Cancer
Any reason for male infertility
During the examination you will be asked to lie flat and remove clothing. Gel will be placed on your scrotum and the ultrasound transducer will be used to take multiple pictures of the underlying anatomy.
Your images will be reviewed by our Consultant Radiologist and results will be available within 24 hours.
Cost €180
Venous Doppler (Leg/Arm)
A venous Doppler ultrasound is used to determine the presence of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in one of the many deep veins of your leg or arm. Such clots pose a significant risk, as upon rupture, can travel in the blood to the lungs causing a pulmonary embolism which can be fatal.
Common Indication for a venous Doppler study include :
Unilateral (one side) leg/arm swelling
Red/Discoulored skin on affected limb
Feeling of warmth in affected limb
Limb pain which can feel like cramping or soreness
Risk factors for DVTs Include:
Advancing age
Sitting for long periods of time (long haul flights)
Prolonged bedrest
Recent surgery
Pregnancy
Oral Contraceptive Pill
Smoking
Cancer
During the examination you will be asked to remove clothing from the affected limb. Gel will be placed on the limb. Using the transducer the Radiographer will assess the veins to determine the presence of a DVT.
One arm/leg - Cost: €200
Both arms/legs - Cost: €250
Carotid Doppler Scan
A carotid ultrasound is a safe and reliable test used to assess blood flow through the carotid arteries to your brain. There is a carotid artery on each side of your neck that delivers blood from your heart to your face and head.
This scan is performed to determine if the arteries are narrowed or blocked with plaque which can increase your risk of stroke. These plaque deposits are composed of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances that circulate in the blood. The vertebral arteries are also examined.
Common Indications for a Carotid Ultrasound include:
High Blood Pressure
Dizziness
Diabetes
High Cholesterol
Coronary Artery Disease
Family History of Coronary Artery Disease
Recent Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) or Stroke
Bruit
No preparation is necessary for the examination and you will be able to drive immediately after the examination. During the examination you will be asked to lie flat and remove clothing and jewellery from around your neck. Gel will be placed on your neck and the ultrasound transducer will be moved across your neck to take multiple pictures of the underlying anatomy. You will hear an audible sound from the ultrasound machine as we examine the blood flow through your arteries. Your images will be reviewed by our Consultant Radiologist and results will be available within 24 hours.
Cost €180
Groin/Hernia Ultrasound
Hernias occur when an internal part of the body pushes through a weakness in the muscle or surrounding tissue wall. Hernias may cause no symptoms or very few symptoms. You may notice a swelling or lump on your abdomen or groin that can disappear when you lie down. Coughing or straining may cause the lump to re-appear. Hernias can occur throughout the body, but are most common between your chest and hips.
Types of hernia include:
Inguinal Hernias
Inguinal hernias occur when fatty tissue or a part of your bowel protrudes into your groin at the top of your inner thigh. This is the most common type of hernia and it mainly affects men. Risk factors include advancing age and repeated strain on the abdomen.
Signs and symptoms include:
A bulge in the area on either side of your pubic bone, which is worse when you're upright, especially if you cough or strain.
An aching or burning sensation at the bulge.
Pain in your groin, especially when bending over, coughing or lifting.
Femoral Hernias
Femoral hernias also occur when fatty tissue or a part of your bowel protrudes into your groin at the top of your inner thigh. They occur less frequently than inguinal hernias and tend to affect more women than men. Femoral hernias are also associated with advancing age and repeated strain on the abdomen.
Abdominal Hernias
Umbilical hernias occur when fatty tissue or a part of your bowel protrudes through your abdomen near your belly button.
Incisional hernias occur when tissue protrudes through a surgical wound in your abdomen. Epigastric hernias occur when fatty tissue protrudes through your abdomen, between your bellybutton and the lower part of your breastbone.
Spigelian hernias occur when part of your bowel protrudes through your abdomen at the side of your abdominal muscle, below your bellybutton.
No preparation is necessary for this scan.
What happens during the hernia ultrasound scan?
You will be asked to lie on the examination couch and expose part of your abdomen. We will put gel on your skin and a small ultrasound probe will be used to obtain images of your internal organs. You may be asked to stand and cough as part of the examination to replicate the conditions in which a hernia occurs (if intermittent).
Your images will be reviewed by our Consultant Radiologist and results will be available within 24 hours.
Cost: €180
Soft Tissue Ultrasound (Lumps/Bumps)
Feeling a new lump or bump under your skin can be concerning. Ultrasound is useful to analyse these swellings externally and determine if the possibility that these lumps pose any risks to your health.
Common findings for such lumps include:
· Lipomas
· Cysts
· Enlarged lymph nodes
· Inflammatory swellings
· Haematomas
· Foreign bodies
What happens during your ultrasound?
You may be sitting upright or lying down for the scan (dependent on the position of the lump). Ultrasound gel will be placed on the lump and the ultrasound transducer will be moved over the area, taking multiple pictures of the underlying anatomy. The images will be review by a Consultant Radiologist and a report sent to your referring clinician within 48 hours.
Cost: €150