This article contains overall information about transvaginal ultrasound scan. The blog will give you knowledge on what is the scan, why it is used, the procedure and the results of it.
USG TVS scan is a transvaginal ultrasound scan. The word transvaginal tells that a thing that is to be inserted into the vagina. The USG TVS scan is a type of diagnostic imaging modality that is basically an ultrasonography test. In this test, a probe is used which is inserted through your vagina to assess the internal structures of the vagina. This sonography test is mostly used to diagonal and visualise any abnormalities that are present in the female reproductive tract. It is also used to confirm any pregnancy and also to ensure the overall well-being of the growing fetus. The ultrasound scan resultant images help your doctor/gynaecologist to analyzing any problem that might include certain complications developing during your pregnancy, any condition in terms of your ovaries or uterus including cancer or fibroids. Any type of ultrasound scan does pose any harm in terms of radiation exposure.
What Exactly is a Transvaginal Ultrasound?
Let us discuss the principle of working for the Transvaginal Ultrasound scan-
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Conventional Ultrasound
Conventional ultrasound can be used as a routine diagnostic imaging technique to help visualise different internal structures. The scan provides real-time visualisation and evaluation of the internal body parts. A special wand known as the ultrasound transducer is used to record the internal images. The scan uses sound waves of high frequency. The sound waves that work as the working principle of ultrasound scan strike on different body parts and internal organs which eventually get reflected from the organs. These reflected back sound waves or echo sound waves are collected by the transducer and are analyzed. They are then displayed on the display screen as a real-time image. These scan images are also called sonograms.
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Transvaginal Ultrasound
The working principle of the transvaginal ultrasound scan is similar to that employed in any other type of ultrasound scan. Although the procedures of different ultrasound techniques might be entirely different. A classical ultrasound scan, as a diagnostic modality, is normally conducted from externally, but, for a transvaginal ultrasound scan technique, the test is performed with a probe that the technician or radiologist will insert inside your vaginal canal. The transducer or ultrasound probe will detect the Internal organs. The images are then observed and studied for any abnormality or deformity.
How Can a Transvaginal Ultrasound Help?
The transvaginal ultrasound scan creates scan images and provides your doctor with detailed scan images of different organs of the female genito-urinary system including the uterus, vaginal cervix, urinary tract, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
- The scan images formed can help your doctor to look for any abnormal changes in the position, size, or shape of your reproductive organs including the Vaginal cervix, ovaries, uterus, etc.
- Sometimes ovaries can have abnormalities like cysts, and these abnormalities can be adequately detected by the help of a transvaginal ultrasound scan.
- The USG TVS scan is a helpful diagnostic tool in determining the urinary bladder wall thickness.
- The USG TVS san can also be used to visualise and assess the uterine wall thickness, including the endometrium and myometrium.
- The transvaginal ultrasound scan is capable of helping your doctor in an early detection of pregnancy.
When do I Need a Transvaginal Ultrasound?
A transvaginal ultrasound scan might be ordered by your doctor in case you have certain symptoms like:
- Unbearable and chronic pelvic pain
- Infertility issues
- After menopause, you have bleeding
- Endometriosis
- Spotting
- Inflammation of the cervix
- Have symptoms indicating the presence of cysts, fibroids, or abnormal masses in ovaries or uterus.
Pregnancy and Transvaginal Ultrasound Scan
The USG TVS scan has proven itself as a very useful tool during pregnancy.
- The transvaginal ultrasound scan is often used during the pregnancy as it helps your doctor in the monitoring of foetal heartbeat.
- The TVS USG scan is also helpful in determining the gestational age and for calculating the probable delivery date
- The scan helps us understand the position and location of the attached placenta.
- In certain females who have an ectopic pregnancy, a TVS USG scan can help determine and check an ectopic pregnancy.
- In some pregnancies that are of high-risk, this scan is usually performed as a routine investigation tool during follow-ups.
What is the Procedure of a Transvaginal Ultrasound?
The procedure of TVS USG scan:
- You will first be made to lie down on a table. You will be asked to undress or remove your clothing from the area which is to be examined, i.e. waist down and cover it with a sheet.
- A special probe or ultrasound transducer is then advanced into your vaginal opening by a skilled technician.
- This transducer or probe is covered in a specialised gel. The gel functions as a lubricant. A sheath, which is made of latex material, is placed on top of the ultrasound transducer.
- You might feel a little discomfort when the ultrasound probe is passed into your vagina, but the discomfort generally stays for a short period of time.
- The ultrasound transducer wand sends sound wave signals to your internal structures that get reflected from the organs as an echo and are collected by the wand.
- This transducer is rotated at different angles to capture numerous and clear image sections. The scan images of the entire concerned area to be examined.
- The doctor and technician can view the real-time images of the internal structures.
- The whole procedure will take a little time only and gets completed within 10-30 minutes.
Results of a Transvaginal Ultrasound?
It is important to know/understand and differentiate any abnormality or deviation from the typical structure of the articular organ while you are interpreting the scan results produced by the TVS USG scan. As the USG TVS scan gives the real-time scan images, your doctor or radiologist can sufficiently look for any deformity or abnormalities then and there and can provide you with the reports quickly.
Conclusion
The Transvaginal ultrasound (TVS USG) scan is an intricate diagnostic procedure which can help in the early detection and diagnosis of any pregnancy. It can also help in the screening of the internal structures like uterus. The scan can sufficiently provide a detailed real time picture of the pelvic region. These images can help your doctor to detect the presence of any fibroids, tumours, or cysts without exposing you to any harmful radiation.
FAQs?
Is a transvaginal ultrasound painful?
The process of getting a transvaginal ultrasound is not painful usually. This ultrasound technique is slightly more invasive than the other usual ultrasound scan techniques. You might experience some/slight discomfort while the ultrasound transducer is being inserted, but this discomfort vanishes after a short time.
Is a transvaginal ultrasound safe during pregnancy?
The transvaginal ultrasound scan procedure is an entirely safe scan technique to be conducted during pregnancy. The transducer probe is advanced into your vagina which does not affect or harm your foetus's health in any sense. Another major advantage of the transvaginal ultrasound TVS USG scan is that it does not use any radiation, which renders it even safer to be conducted during pregnancy.
Where can I get a transvaginal ultrasound done?
Transvaginal ultrasound is available at several hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic laboratories. Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Center offer a high-quality diagnostic facility for your transvaginal ultrasound procedures. You can book your test on our online booking system, or you can call us at our contact number.
