Uterine Fibroid Essay

The Diagnostic Sonography more commonly known as Ultrasound is a medical procedure in which you use high frequency sound waves to produce visual images of organs tissues or blood flow inside the body. Ultrasound is regularly known as the procedure used to examine women who are expecting. Although, Sonography is used in many different ways other than for expectant mothers. Sonography is also used to detect such things as heart disease, heart attacks, and vascular disease that can lead to stroke. (SDMS, 2010) Moreover, Sonography is also used to examine breasts, abdomens, female reproductive systems,

A diagnostic medical sonographer who specializes in obstetric sonography is able to capture the images of a fetus inside the mother’s uterus. This type of sonography is used to monitor the growth and development of the fetus as well as its health. Imagine seeing a parent’s joyful expression towards one another when they hear the sound of their baby’s heartbeat for the first time. Or to witness their smiles from ear to ear when they get to see their baby move and wiggle about inside the mother over the ultrasound screen. This special moment is something that an obstetric sonographer has the pleasure of witnessing every day.

Ultrasounds continue into Obstetric and Transvaginal. Obstetric is the use of ultrasound scans in pregnancy (Woo, Dr. Joseph S.K). Transvaginal are used to capture more precise images in patients who are obese and/ or in the early stages of pregnancy and is conduction through the vaginal cavity (Woo, Dr. Joseph S.K).

I was 20 years old when I had my first myomectomy due to multiple fibroids. After few years, the condition worsened. My major concern at that time was only if my fibroids were shrinking or growing bigger when I would look at the screen during the ultrasound. I was very keen to learn about Diagnostic Sonography to be able to know and help others with the same issue I was suffering from since long. By going through this condition, I felt I could definitely help others.

Diagnostic medical sonography is a profession where sonographers direct high-frequency sound waves into a patient’s body through the use of specific equipment to diagnose or monitor a patient’s medical condition. As described by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this examination is referred to as an ultrasound, sonogram, or echocardiogram. The high-frequency sound waves emitted from the handheld device, called a transducer, bounce back creating an echo and therefore produce an image that can be viewed on the sonographers computer screen. This image provides the sonographer and physician with an internal image of the patient’s body that will be used in the diagnosis. The most familiar use of ultrasound is used in monitoring pregnancies

Diagnostic medical sonographers who are also known as ultrasound technologists, play a very pivotal role in the health industry. Sonographers use specialized 3D imaging machines to generate images of internal body organs and structures which works hand-in-hand with doctors in gathering the necessary data needed for a diagnosis (Reece & Hobbins, 2007). Diagnostic medical sonography has many different branches you may pursue such as obstetrics/gynecology, breast sonography, cardiovascular sonography, and abdominal sonography to name a few (Brent, Jensh, & Beckman, 1991). The limits of authority and legislated scope of practice for sonographers has recently been revised in May 2013 by sixteen representatives from multiple sonography organizations throughout the country (2016). A diagnostic medical sonographer must be a qualified individual who is academically credited as well as clinically skilled before they begin to practice. Affirmation, demonstration, continuing education as well as re-certification from a nationally accredited organization is required for every sonographer (2016).

In endometriosis, this endometrial tissue begins to grow in places outside the uterus. Typical sites include the fallopian tubes, intestines, vagina, and on scars that my form after abdominal surgery. The misplaced endometrial tissue thickens, engorges with blood and bleeds during the menstrual cycle, just like the normal tissue in the uterus. However, there is no place for the abnormally placed endometrial tissue outside the uterus to shed blood. This results in the formation of cysts, scars, and adhesions. This process can also block or affect the fallopian tubes so that conception and pregnancy are less likely to happen. It can also result in complete infertility. Other symptoms of endometriosis are often associated with heavy or painful periods. Risk factors for the development of endometriosis include having a mother or sister with the disorder, never having children, starting the menstrual period at an early age, and frequent or long periods. According to Dr. Camron Nezhat, Laparoscopic Surgeon at Stanford University, 5.5% of women in the U.S are infected with Endometriosis and 30% to 40% are infertile as a result of it.

Diagnostic medical sonography is a profession where sonographers direct high-frequency sound waves into a patient’s body through use of specific equipment to diagnose or monitor a patient’s medical condition. As described by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this examination is referred to as an ultrasound, sonogram, or echocardiogram. The high-frequency sound waves emitted from the handheld device, called a transducer, bounce back creating an echo and therefore produce an image that can be viewed on the sonographers computer screen. This image provides the sonographer and physician with an internal image of the patient’s body that will be used in diagnosis. The most familiar use of ultrasound is used in monitoring pregnancies, and is

Sonography utilizes sound waves to generate an image that can be analyzed to determine or rule out a diagnosis. Ultrasound or ultrasonography is a medical imaging technique that uses high frequency sound waves. It is a high pitch frequency that cannot be heard by the human ear. A diagnostic medical sonographer works directly with patients in a dimly lit room with imaging machines. The sonographer gets the medical history of the patient and prepares the patient for an ultrasound examination. The sonographer explains the noninvasive procedure and answers any question the patient might have. The sonographer positions the patient and covers the patient only exposing the area needed for the procedure. The sonographer

Diagnostic medical sonographers play a key role in the health care team and often work alongside doctors, nurses, and other technologists. They prepare patients by explaining the procedure and collect necessary patient history information prior to examination. An ultrasound is then performed, which is a non-invasive process that enables sonographers to send high-frequency sound waves into the body. The return signals are then analyzed to help visualize internal organs in 2D, 3D or 4D. These images help physicians with medical diagnoses and are also used for monitoring pregnancy. An ultrasound is often executed on many different areas of the body including the abdomen, pelvis, tissues, and vascular and cardiac systems. A DMS may also be required

Endometriosis affects 10% of reproductive-age women (Yale School of Medicine). It affects nearly 176 million women, ranging from 15-49, all over the world (World Endometriosis, 2011). “Endometriosis is an often painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus (endometrial implant) (Mayo Clinic, 2013)” It most commonly involves your ovaries and the lining of the pelvis, but in extreme cases can spread to other parts of the body. The displaced tissue continues to act like it normally would in the uterus, thickening and breaking down with each menstrual cycle. Since the displaced tissue has nowhere to go, it becomes trapped with no way to get out (Mayo Clinic, 2013).

an amniocentesis. For some women, this is an option, for others, this is a must due to previous

Before reviewing this article, I was not familiar with the condition adnexal torsion, nor was I familiar with the use of sonography to aid in diagnosing adnexal torsion. Learning about the clinical importance of sonography, and its role in diagnosis and treatment of this gynecological condition is something I found very interesting. Adnexal torsion describes a condition in which the adnexal components twist around their axis, causing obstruction of arterial, venous, and lymphatic processes (Navve, Hershkovitz, Zetounie, Klein, Tepper, 2013). The purpose of using sonography to help diagnose adnexal torsion is to look for what is called the “whirlpool sign”. In most cases, the whirlpool sign appears on a sonogram resembling that of a bulls-eye target or a snail shell. This study focused on the location of that whirlpool sign, medial or lateral to the ovary, and the clinical importance of the location.

Developmental anomalies of Mullerian ducts are one of the most intriguing disorders that Obstetricians and Gynaecologists encounter in their clinics. The Mullerian ducts are the primordial anlage of the female reproductive tract. They give rise to uterus, fallopian tubes, uterine cervix and upper part of the vagina. Any developmental anomaly in Mullerian ducts can give rise to a spectrum of reproductive tract anomalies which may range from uterine agenesis to duplication of uterus and vagina to minor septa in uterine cavity.

Uterine Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develops in the myometrium layer of the uterus. A single cell divides repeatedly, eventually creating a firm, rubbery mass distinct from nearby tissue (EA, 2013). There are different types of growth patterns to uterine fibroids. Sometimes they are small and in some cases they are extremely large. Woman between the ages of 30-and 40 years old are more at risk of developing uterine fibroids. They develop mostly in the child bearing years of a woman’s life. African American women have a greater risk of developing uterine fibroids at a younger age than any other race. Uterine fibroids are also called leiomyomas or myomas. Uterine Fibroids can develop on the inside or outside of the uterus.