EndoCavityTransrectal

TransvaginalUltrasound

Although many types of ultrasounds are carried out from outside the body, it is sometimes necessary for the ultrasound probe to be positioned inside the body, and an endocavity transducer can be used for rectal and vaginal examinations. This type of internal ultrasound scans commonly are used to view the prostate gland, stomach, gall bladder and esophagus. While these types of medical tests may be uncomfortable, they are not usually painful.

Ultrasound uses a transducer that sends out ultrasonic sound waves at a frequency too high to be heard. When the transducer is placed at certain locations and angles, the ultrasonic sound waves move through the skin and other body tissues to the organs and structures within. The sound waves bounce off the organs like an echo and return to the transducer. The transducer picks up the reflected waves, which are then converted into an electronic picture of the organs.

Endocavity – Phased ArrayA curved or curvilinear array transducer is similar to a linear array except that the image created has a sector type format. A curvilinear array gives a large footprint and near field with a wide sector. Usually, curved transducers are described by the radius of curvature in mm. The transducer elements control the characteristics and direction of the soundbeam.

The Endocavity - Phased Array probe consists of many small ultrasonic elements, each of which can be pulsed individually. By varying the timing, for instance by pulsing the elements one by one in sequence along a row, a pattern of constructive interference is set up that results in a beam at a set angle. In other words, the beam can be steered electronically. The beam is swept like a search-light through the tissue or object being examined, and the data from multiple beams are put together to make a visual image showing a slice through the object.

Endocavity Transducer

The Endocavity transducer is a small ultrasound transducer with high frequency and inserted internally.Frequency: 6 – 18 MHzArray ElementsCurvature radius: 10 – 13 mm180 degree angle view.Steering: ElectronicBroken Crystal: poor steering and focusing.

Endocavity Pelvic Exam

A pelvic ultrasound is a noninvasive (the skin is not pierced) procedure used to assess organs and structures within the pelvis. A pelvic ultrasound allows quick visualization of the pelvic organs and structures. The following slides are examples two endocavity pelvic exams (rectal and vaginal).

Pelvic Ultrasound Examines:

* ovaries * fallopian tubes * uterus * cervix * bladder

Female Pelvic Exam Male Pelvic Exam Pelvic Ultrasound Examines:

* bladder * prostate gland * seminal vesicles

Preparation

Transrectal Test Preparation

If you are having a transrectal ultrasound, you may need an enema about an hour before the test. Tell your health professional if you are allergic to latex so that a latex-free cover can be put on the transducer before it is used.If a man is also having a biopsy of the prostate gland, he may be given antibiotics for a day before the test.You will be asked to lie on your left side with your knees bent. A digital rectal examination will be done before the ultrasound test. Then a lubricated transducer probe will be gently inserted into your rectum. It will slowly be moved to take pictures from different angles. You may feel some pressure. Water may be put into your rectum to clean the end of the transducer so that clear pictures can be seen.

Transrectal Ultrasound

7.5 MHz, Curved Phased Array Transrectal Ultrasound Transducer

is shaped to fit into the rectum. A transrectal ultrasound is the most common test to look at the male pelvic organs, such as the prostate and seminal vesicles. Sometimes, a small sample of tissue (biopsy) may be taken with small tools inserted through the rectum during a transrectal ultrasound.

The present article reports a triad of right renal agenesis, ipsilateral seminal vesicle cyst, and ejaculatory duct obstruction (Zinner syndrome)

in a 19-year boy who presented with urinary symptoms

Zinner's syndrome is a triad of mullerian duct abnormality comprising of unilateral renal agenesis, ipsilateral seminal vesicle cyst, and ejaculatory duct obstruction. [1] The patients are usually diagnosed at third or fourth decade of life and often present with infertility. [2],[3] The case illustrated in this article is unique in terms of early age of presentation during late adolescence with predominantly urinary symptoms

:(a) Trans-rectal ultrasound transverse image showing a large cyst (*) with internal echoes in the region of right seminal vesicle. (b) Trans-rectal ultrasound parasagittal image showing a large cyst (*) with internal echoes in the region of right seminal vesicle. Gross dilatation of the proximal part of right seminal vesicle is also seen (arrow). P, prostate; UB, urinary bladder

Transrectal Scan: Zinner Syndrome

Prostate Cancer: Transrectal UltrasoundThe American Cancer Society estimates that about 235,000 new cases of Prostate Cancer will occur

this year. However, Prostate Cancer can be treated effectively if it is caught in the early stages.

Transvaginal Test Preparation

If you are having a transvaginal ultrasound, tell your health professional if you are allergic to latex so that a latex-free cover can be put on the transducer before it is used.If you are having only a transvaginal ultrasound, do not drink any fluids for 4 hours before the test. You will not need to drink fluids to fill your bladder for the test as you do in a transabdominal ultrasound. For transvaginal ultrasound, you will empty your bladder. You will be asked to lie on your back with your hips slightly raised.A thin, lubricated transducer probe will be gently inserted into your vagina. Only the tip of the transducer is put in the vagina. You need to lie very still while the ultrasound scan is being done.

Transvaginal Ultrasound6.5 Mhz, Curved Array Transvaginal Ultrasound Transducer

is shaped to fit into a woman's vagina. A woman may have both transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasounds to look at the whole pelvic area. A transvaginal ultrasound is done to look for problems with fertility. In rare cases, a hysterosonogram is done to look at the inside of the uterus by filling the uterus with fluid during a transvaginal ultrasound. Sometimes, a small sample of tissue (biopsy) may be taken with small tools inserted through the vagina during a transvaginal ultrasound

Normal uterus during transvaginal ultrasound.

Normal Transvaginal Ultrasound

Advantages

Most ultrasound scanning is noninvasive (no needles or injections) and is usually painless.Ultrasound is widely available, easy-to-use and less expensive than other imaging methods.Ultrasound imaging does not use any ionizing radiation.Ultrasound scanning gives a clear picture of soft tissues that do not show up well on x-ray images.Ultrasound is the preferred imaging modality for the diagnosis and monitoring of pregnant women and their unborn babies.Ultrasound provides real-time imaging, making it a good tool for guiding minimally invasiveprocedures such as needle biopsies and needle aspiration.Pelvic ultrasound can help to identify and evaluate a variety of urinary and reproductive systemdisorders in both sexes without even the minimal risks associated with x-ray exposure

Disadvantages

Ultrasound waves are disrupted by air or gas; therefore ultrasound is not an ideal imaging technique for the bowel or organs obscured by the bowel. In most cases, barium exams, CT scanning, and MRI are the methods of choice in this setting.Large patients are more difficult to image by ultrasound because tissue attenuates (weakens) the sound waves as they pass deeper into the body.