Ultrasound
Just as the improvements in technologies have changed our daily lives, they have made a significant impact on modern health care. Only fifteen years ago, ultrasound was a novel technology relegated only to large research institutions. Now it is rare for anyone to go through an entire pregnancy without having one.
The mass acceptance of this diagnostic modality is due in part to its safety. Indeed, experiences in the last 15 years have found no adverse effects. As a safe diagnostic tool, it is ideally suited for the evaluation of the unborn fetus, whose fragile development is inherently more sensitive to external forces. Ultrasound has proven its enormous utility in diagnosing fetal anomalies, evaluating fetal well being, and managing pregnancy complications. With the development of live 3D/4D ultrasound, we are provided with a window into the womb. This affords us an enormous opportunity for the emotional bonding of the family, which may also help motivate patient to take better care of herself, be more compliant with difficult medical regiments, and deal better with a difficult pregnancy.
On the gynecology side, these machines offer a much more sensitive way to evaluate the pelvis than by traditional methods. Practice standards in the past have relied on bimanual exam and blood tests which have shown to be dismal at detecting ovarian cancer. Early studies from Los Angeles and Tokyo have shown promising results for the use of this modality in the screening and early diagnosis of ovarian cancer. The problem lies in the cost effectiveness of using this test for screening. Ideally, every woman over 50 or with risk factors should have an ultrasound every six months. Implementing this program would impose an enormous cost to the healthcare system. That cost issue, however, is irrelevant if you are the one with the cancer that could have been detected earlier. The good news is that developments within the last few years have made these machines smaller and more cost efficient. Just as computers have invaded our lives at home, ultrasound machines have permeated the obstetricians/gynecologist office. It is becoming increasingly rare for obstetricians gynecologist to practice without one.
Available ultrasound and related services at the center:
- Real-time 2D Ultrasound
- Color Doppler Ultrasound
- Live 3D/4D Ultrasound
- Amniocentesis
- Sonohysterography
