Ultrasound

Your Sonographer will collect you from the reception area and escort you to the ultrasound room. Depending on your scan you may be required to change into a gown.

The Sonographer will use a transducer to obtain different views and record a series of images. This process is generally pain-free, however some pressure may need to be applied to improve the image. Your Sonographer may request that you also assist in certain scans, for example – holding your breath, or by turning or standing.

Your scan time will vary depending on the complexity of the requested examination. Most simple ultrasound scans take approximately 15-20 minutes, however more time is required for complex studies such as certain obstetric or vascular imaging.

When the scan is complete, it may be necessary for you to wait while our Radiologist reviews the obtained images. Occasionally further imaging may be required. Your Sonographer will advise you if this is the case.

Many Ultrasound examinations have specific Federal Government Pre-requisites in place to enable you to claim a medicare rebate for that examination.  When you book your appointment you will be advised if a rebate is applicable for your examination.

Some categories of examinations commonly asked about are explained on the next few tabs such as Pregnancy and Musculoskeletal (MSK)

When performed on the same day, Medicare will NOT rebate the second examination:

Ultrasound Doppler WITH Ultrasound Musculoskeletal or General or Pregnancy
Ultrasound Pregnancy WITH Ultrasound Pelvis
Ultrasound Abdomen WITH Ultrasound Renal
Ultrasound Pelvis WITH Ultrasound Renal
Ultrasound Renal WITH Ultrasound Abdomen
Ultrasound Musculoskeletal Bilateral

Pregnancy Scans

Pregnancy Scans are subject to Medicare Eligibility Criteria to qualify for a Medicare rebate:  For Comprehensive explanation of the criteria and timing of the scans, please visit here 

Please note, there is often preparation required for a pregnancy scan and our friendly clerical staff will advise you of this upon booking.

If you wish to obtain a digital copy of your images, please ask our staff to provide you with the steps to activate your digital access.

Pregnancy Scans

To assess fetal risk the examination MUST be performed between 11.5 to 13.5 weeks of pregnancy. Due to this narrow time frame it is essential that patients make an appointment as soon as they receive the referral from their medical practitioner. The associated blood test may be completed any time after 10 weeks and preferably 3 days before the ultrasound.

The RANZCOG guidelines for prenatal assessment can be found here.

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

US SHOULDER / UPPER ARM

Rebatable Criteria:

• Evaluation of injury to tendon, muscle or muscle/tendon junction; or
• Rotator cuff tear/calcification/tendinosis (biceps, subscapular, supraspinatus, infraspinatus); or
• Biceps subluxation; or
• Capsulitis and bursitis; or
• Evaluation of mass including ganglion; or
• Occult fracture; or
• Acromioclavicular joint pathology

Benefits are NOT payable when referred for non-specific PAIN alone.

US KNEE

Rebatable Criteria:

• Abnormality of tendons or
• bursae about the knee; or
• Meniscal cyst, popliteal fossa cyst, mass or pseudomass; or
• Nerve entrapment, nerve or nerve sheath tumour; or
• Injury of collateral ligaments

Benefits are NOT payable when referred for non-specific knee PAIN alone or other knee condition including:

• Meniscal and cruciate ligament tears
• Assessment of chondral surfaces

Patient Information Pregnancy Ultrasound

Patient Information Transvaginal Ultrasound

Patient Information Vascular Ultrasound

Patient Information Nuchal Ultrasound

Patient Information – Ultrasound Guided Steroid Injection