Ultrasound Scan: Types, Cost Factors, What to Expect & More

What is Ultrasound?

Ultrasound, also known as ultrasonography (USG) is a safe diagnostic tool in modern medical sciences. It doesn’t need any radiation, rather it uses sound waves for producing images. So, it’s commonly used during pregnancy and for repeated scans, even in children and older adults.

For most people, there’s no risk at all when getting an ultrasound. It’s non-invasive, painless, and doesn’t involve needles (unless the purpose is guided biopsy). Ultrasounds take 30 to 60 minutes. Once it’s done, you can wipe off the gel, get dressed, and go about your day. There’s no downtime or major precautions to follow 

However, like any other imaging test, it carries certain limitations. Ultrasound waves don’t travel well through air or dense bone, so, doctors don’t prefer it to scan areas like the lungs or brain. Some deeper structures in the body might also not appear clearly depending on body type or organ position. In such situations, doctors recommend other scans like an MRI, CT, or X-ray for a better look. Though ultrasound is quite a useful imaging test, it may not always give the final answer. 

A Ultrasound is useful in the following cases:

• Look for gallstones, kidney stones, or liver problems
• Monitor pregnancy and fetal growth
• Examining uterus, ovaries, or testicles
• Diagnose abdominal or pelvic pain
• Assess blood flow in veins and arteries
• Guide needle biopsies and other procedures

Types of Ultrasound

Here are the most common types of ultrasound scans:

• Abdominal Ultrasound: Helps check organs such as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, and spleen. It is often used to detect stones, cysts, and organ enlargement.
• Pelvic Ultrasound:  Focuses on reproductive organs. It’s commonly used to evaluate uterus, ovaries, bladder, and prostate health.
• Obstetric Ultrasound: Used during pregnancy to track the baby’s growth, position, heartbeat, and development throughout each trimester.
• Transvaginal/Transrectal Ultrasound: For a closely evaluating the health of reproductive organs
• Vascular Doppler Ultrasound: To check blood circulation in arteries and veins
• Breast Ultrasound: To check for lumps or abnormalities found during physical examinations or mammograms
• Thyroid Ultrasound: To examine nodules or enlargement in the thyroid gland

Common Conditions Diagnosed by Ultrasound

Ultrasound helps in diagnosing an array of health conditions across different age groups. Most common ones include the following:

• Gallstones or Kidney Stones: Ultrasound clearly visualizes stones in the gallbladder, kidneys, or urinary tract.
• Pregnancy Monitoring: Monitors fetal heartbeat, position, size, and identifies multiple pregnancies or complications.
• Ovarian Cysts or Fibroids: Detects abnormalities in the ovaries or uterus.
• Liver or Pancreatic Issues: Spots fatty liver, cysts, enlargement, or structural changes in these organs.
• Appendicitis: To check for appendicitis, particularly in children and pregnant women.
• Prostate Enlargement: Transrectal ultrasound helps check prostate size and spot possible issues.
• Breast Lumps: Differentiates between solid lumps and fluid-filled cysts.
• Thyroid Nodules: Checks nodules, irregularities or enlargement in the thyroid gland.
• Vascular Blockages: Doppler ultrasound identifies any clots, narrowed or poor blood flow in veins and arteries.
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) – Helps in detecting inflammation or infection in female reproductive organs.
• Abdominal Pain Causes: Helps checking for fluid collections, masses, organ swelling, or infections in the abdominal region

Pregnancy Ultrasound in Detail

Doctors perform different scans as the pregnancy progresses to ensure that both the expecting mother and the baby are safe and healthy. 

• First Trimester Scan (6–11 weeks)

This is usually the first ultrasound you undergo after a positive urine pregnancy test.
It confirms your pregnancy, checks for any abnormal implantation of the fetus (ectopic pregnancy), and helps in estimating how much the pregnancy has progressed. The scan also confirms the fetal heartbeat and whether it’s a single or twin pregnancy. In early weeks, this scan can be transvaginal for better image clarity.

• Anomaly Scan / Level II Scan (18–20 weeks)

This is a detailed mid-pregnancy scan where your baby’s organs, spine, limbs, brain, and heart are closely checked. It rules out structural or developmental abnormalities. Doctors also assess the placenta’s position and amniotic fluid levels. This scan is crucial in identifying serious birth defects early on, when it is safe to decide for interventions or decisions.

• Growth Scan (28–34 weeks)

This third-trimester scan monitors the baby’s growth pattern, weight, heartbeat, and its position. It also assesses if the baby is growing on track, and whether blood flow from the placenta is normal. Doctors also check for the baby’s head-down and if its ready for delivery. A growth scan is important in high-risk pregnancy factors like diabetes, hypertension, or low fluid levels.

2D vs 3D vs 4D Ultrasound: What’s the Difference?

What Happens During the Ultrasound Scan?

During the ultrasound, you lie down as the technician applies a cool gel on the skin (on the area to be examined). The gel enables the device to glide easily and make sure there’s no air between the skin and the probe. It doesn’t easily stain and wipe off easily.

The technician (sonographer), uses a small handheld device called a transducer. They gently press it on your skin and move it around to capture images from different angles.

You won’t hear it, but the device sends sound waves into your body. These waves bounce back, and a computer converts them into live images on a screen. That’s what the technician and doctor will review.

Sometimes, the scan is done from inside

In certain cases, an internal ultrasound may be necessary. Here, the transducer is attached to a thin probe and gently inserted into a natural opening in your body.

This might happen in the following scenarios: 

• A transvaginal ultrasound to check the uterus or ovaries.
• A transrectal ultrasound for examining the prostate.
• A transesophageal echocardiogram to closely visualize your heart. It is performed under light sedation.

Will it hurt?

Ultrasound is a painfree procedure.  You may only feel some pressure when the sonographer moves the transducer across the area to be examined. If you have a full bladder or have an internal scan, it can be uncomfortable, but not sharp or painful.

Risks of ultrasound 

Ultrasound is a safe procedure which does not have any major known side effects or risks. It is safe for even children and pregnant women. However, there are certain limitations of the ultrasound where doctors recommend other advanced imaging techniques like MRI, or X Ray.

Factors Affecting Ultrasound Cost in Hyderabad

The cost of an ultrasound in Hyderabad varies based on these factors:

• Type of scan (e.g., pelvic vs. Doppler)
• Infrastructure & equipment used at the scanning centre
• Whether it’s performed at a clinic or hospital
• Charges of additional consultation or reports
• Same day appointments or emergency
• Insurance coverage may reduce the cost if the scan is included under your health insurance plan

Why Choose Pristyn Care For Ultrasound in Hyderabad? 

• Accurate & clear imaging:

Modern ultrasound machines provide real-time, sharp images, which are suitable for pregnancy scans, organ checks, or soft tissue scans

• Experts you can trust:

Certified sonographers perform this scan, and highly experienced radiologists review the results for accuracy.

• All ultrasound types in One place

We cover all the abdominal organs according to your medical needs, be it abdomen, pelvis, transrectal or transvaginal. You don’t have to rush to other places. 

• Reports Ready Within Hours:

There are no long waiting periods. Mostly, we deliver the reports on the same day. We prioritize helping without any delay.

• Honest, Affordable Pricing:

Our ultrasound costs in Hyderabad are totally honest, transparent and there are no hidden charges. You don’t receive any surprise bills at the end of it. 

How To Prepare For Your Ultrasound?

Most ultrasound scans don’t need any special prep. In some cases, doctor gives you a few simple instructions:

• For abdominal scans (like gallbladder or liver): You may need to fast for a few hours before the scan.
• For pelvic or lower abdomen scans: You’ll need to keep a full bladder. The doctor asks you to drink water and not urinate until after the test.
• For kids: Preparation varies depending upon age. Your doctor guides you if anything specific is needed for your child’s scan.

What to Wear and Carry for the Ultrasound

• Wear loose, comfortable clothes. You may need to change into a gown
• Avoid wearing jewelry or metal accessories, must be removed before the scan.
• Leave valuables at home when possible, keep things simple.

What to Carry For an Ultrasound Appointment?

• Your doctor’s note or test requisition that mentions the scan
• Any older imaging or lab reports related to the current problem
• A valid ID proof for registration and verification
• Health insurance card or claim documents,
• A water bottle, especially if you need a full bladder

What Happens After Your Ultrasound?

• Once the scan completes, the technician checks the images for clarity.
• If everything seems fine, you can leave for the day and carry on with the day, unless your doctor gives specific instructions.
• In rare cases where contrast is used (for some internal scans), a short observation is necessary.
• Your images are reviewed by our radiologists and you get the final reports within a few hours only. 

FAQs on Ultrasound 

Why do you need a full bladder for abdominal ultrasound?

You need a full bladder for an abdominal ultrasound as it lifts the bowel and forms a well-defined path for sound waves. This gives them better images of internal organs like the uterus, bladder, and ovaries.

Is there a risk of infection in ultrasound?

No, there are no chances of infection in ultrasound. At Pristyn Care, we abide by strict infection control protocols for every ultrasound. Each probe is thoroughly sanitized with medical-grade disinfectants before and after use, then placed in a high-level disinfection system (Trophon) for added safety. 

Is ultrasound safe for a 3 year old?

Yes, ultrasound is safe for toddlers and children of all age groups. It’s a non-invasive test not involving any radiation, doctors use it to diagnose abdominal pain, organ issues, or injuries in kids.

How much does an ultrasound scan cost?

Ultrasound costs in India, depends on the body part being scanned and the type of ultrasound (2D, 3D, or 4D). Advanced scans or those involving pregnancy monitoring may cost more due to specialised imaging needs.

How long do ultrasound results take?

Most ultrasound reports are available within a few hours. If your doctor requires information, like in emergencies, you may get the reports during the same visit.

What can ultrasound detect?

Ultrasound identifies fluid buildup, cysts, tumors, gallstones, kidney stones, and pregnancy progress. It provides real-time images of your internal organs and soft tissues without employing radiation. 

What are the risks of ultrasound?

There are no known risks involved in ultrasound. It’s completely safe, even for pregnant women and infants, it involves sound waves rather than radiation.

What are five uses of ultrasound?

• Track fetal growth during pregnancy
• Spot gallstones or kidney stones
• Guide fluid drainage or biopsy procedures
• Assess heart function and blood flow
• Detect cysts, masses, or internal swelling
• Non-invasive test used for diagnosis and follow-up care.

What is the difference between a 3d ultrasound and a 4d ultrasound?

3D ultrasound gives three-dimensional images of the organ or the fetus. 4D gives a live video effect, letting you see movements such as yawning or stretching in real time.

What is the difference between a CT Scan and an ultrasound?

CT scan uses radiation to produce highly detailed cross-sectional images of the body. Ultrasound uses sound waves and is safer for repeated use, especially for soft tissue and periodic pregnancy scans.

What is internal or external ultrasound?

External ultrasound is performed on the surface of the skin, such as the abdomen. For internal ultrasound, the ultrasonographer places a probe inside the body (vagina or rectum) for clearer views of deeper organs like ovaries or prostate.