Ultrasound Scan in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is an ultrasound scan?
An ultrasound scan is an imaging test that builds a live picture of the inside of the body from sound waves too high-pitched for the ear to hear. A handheld probe sends the sound in, and the echoes that bounce back from each organ are turned into moving images on a screen. Because the scan uses sound rather than X-rays, it involves no ionising radiation and can be repeated as often as your care requires.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, diagnostic ultrasound is part of the radiology service. A radiologist, a doctor who specialises in medical imaging, reviews the images and writes the report your treating doctor uses to plan the next step. This page covers general diagnostic ultrasound. Pregnancy scans are described on the pregnancy ultrasound and 4D ultrasound pages, and heart ultrasound on the echocardiogram page.
Who needs it
An ultrasound scan is usually the first imaging test for symptoms in organs made of soft tissue or filled with fluid. Your doctor may request one to look at:
- The upper abdomen: the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas and spleen, for pain after meals, suspected gallstones, jaundice or abnormal liver blood tests
- The kidneys and bladder: for kidney stones, blood in the urine, repeated urine infections or changes in kidney function
- The pelvis: the womb and ovaries in women, for irregular or heavy periods and pelvic pain, and the bladder and prostate in men
- The thyroid and neck: for a swelling in the neck, a thyroid nodule or enlarged glands
- Lumps under the skin: to show whether a lump is a fluid-filled cyst, fatty tissue or something that needs further tests
- The testes: for a swelling, lump or pain in the scrotum
Scans are requested by the doctor treating you, often through General Medicine, Gastroenterology or Urology, so that the examination answers a clear clinical question. The wider range of imaging is described on the Radiology page.
What happens
You are shown to a private room and asked to lie on a couch, and the area to be scanned is uncovered. You may be given a gown. A water-based gel is spread on the skin, which lets the sound pass from the probe into the body without air getting in the way. The gel feels cool and wipes off easily afterwards.
The probe is moved over the skin with gentle pressure. You may be asked to take a deep breath and hold it, which pushes the liver and kidneys down from under the ribs into view, or to roll onto your side. Firmer pressure is sometimes needed over a tender area, and you can ask for a pause at any time. Most scans take around 15 to 30 minutes.
For some pelvic scans in women, a clearer view of the womb and ovaries comes from an internal scan, in which a slim probe covered with a protective sheath is placed gently in the vagina. This is only done with your consent, after it has been explained, and you can ask for a chaperone to be present.
Preparing for it
Preparation depends on the part of the body being scanned, and following it closely avoids a repeat visit.
| Scan | Preparation |
|---|---|
| Upper abdomen (liver, gallbladder, pancreas) | Fast for several hours beforehand, so the gallbladder stays full and there is less gas in the bowel |
| Kidneys and bladder, pelvis | Drink water beforehand as instructed and arrive with a full bladder |
| Thyroid, neck, lumps, testes | No special preparation |
A full bladder helps in a way that surprises many people. It acts as a window for the sound waves and lifts the gas-filled bowel out of the way, so the womb, ovaries, prostate and bladder wall show clearly. Drink the amount of water you are given in the instructions and wait to empty your bladder until the scan is done. In the summer heat, drink steadily through the morning so you are well hydrated before you arrive.
If your scan falls during Ramadan, tell the team when the appointment is arranged. An abdominal scan that needs fasting often fits naturally around the fast, while a scan that needs a full bladder can be timed after iftar. Bring your referral, a list of your medicines and any previous scan reports or images.
Afterwards
You can eat, drink, drive and return to normal activities straight away. The radiologist reviews the images and sends a report to the doctor who requested the scan, who explains what it means in the context of your symptoms and plans any next step. Sometimes a CT or MRI scan is suggested to look at an area in more detail.
Contact the doctor who arranged your scan if your symptoms change or worsen while you are waiting for the result. Go to the emergency department straight away if you develop severe abdominal pain, a high fever with shivering, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or sudden severe pain in the scrotum.
Cost and insurance
Most UAE health insurance plans cover a diagnostic ultrasound scan when a doctor has requested it for symptoms or a known condition. Some plans need pre-approval, particularly for repeat scans. Scans done as screening without symptoms are sometimes excluded. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you check your cover on 06 599 7777.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
Is an ultrasound scan safe?
An ultrasound scan is considered very safe because it uses sound waves and involves no ionising radiation. Diagnostic ultrasound has been used for decades without known harm, so it can be repeated when your doctor needs to follow a condition over time.
What are the risks and limits of an ultrasound scan?
An ultrasound scan carries no known risk from the sound waves, but it cannot see through bone or air, so gas in the bowel, the ribs or a larger body build can hide parts of some organs. The quality of the images also depends on the skill of the person performing the scan. When ultrasound cannot answer the question fully, your doctor may suggest a CT or MRI scan.
Does an ultrasound scan hurt?
An ultrasound scan is usually painless. You feel the cool gel and the probe moving with gentle pressure, which can be uncomfortable over a tender area or when your bladder is full. You can ask for a pause at any time during the scan.
Why do I need a full bladder for a pelvic ultrasound?
A full bladder makes a pelvic ultrasound clearer because the fluid lets sound waves pass easily and pushes the gas-filled bowel aside. This brings the womb, ovaries, prostate and bladder into clear view. Drink the amount of water you are told to and avoid emptying your bladder until after the scan.
Can I arrange an ultrasound scan myself?
An ultrasound scan at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah is arranged by the doctor treating you, so the scan answers a specific clinical question. If you have a referral from a doctor outside the hospital, bring it with you. Book an appointment on 06 599 7777.
When will I get my ultrasound results?
Ultrasound results are sent by the radiologist to the doctor who requested the scan, who explains them alongside your symptoms and examination. The person performing the scan may not be able to give you a result during the appointment, because the images are reviewed and reported first.
Is an ultrasound scan covered by insurance?
Most UAE insurance plans cover a diagnostic ultrasound scan when a doctor has requested it, although some plans need pre-approval and screening scans without symptoms are sometimes excluded. Confirm your cover with Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777.
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