Ultrasounds 101: What Every Patient Needs To Know

Benefits And Risks

Ultrasounds are associated with both benefits and risks. The main benefit of ultrasound imaging is it uses sound waves to see inside the body, allowing doctors to view a patient's interior without having to resort to methods that involve exposing the patient to potentially dangerous radiation. In general, there are not any medical risks associated with ultrasounds, according to thousands of studies. Some research suggests when ultrasounds are performed on fetuses, there is a slightly higher chance of the child being left-handed, but so far, this finding is not confirmed and is not a harmful effect in any case. The primary potential problem with ultrasounds is that ultrasound images are often grainy and do not provide excessive detail. It may be difficult to distinguish between tissues or see through various organs. Some patients may go through all the trouble of scheduling an ultrasound and then learn they need an MRI or other imaging tests after all.