Centres/Radiology/Ultrasound/Soft tissue ultrasound

Soft tissue ultrasound (lumps, cysts, lymph nodes, hernias)

Soft tissue ultrasound in Tunis, Tunisia · Centre Urbain Nord

Soft tissue ultrasound in Tunis: lump under the skin, cyst, lipoma, lymph node or abdominal wall hernia examined with sound waves.

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What is it?

Soft tissues are the tissues under the skin: fat, superficial muscles, lymph nodes, the abdominal wall. Ultrasound is the simple test to examine a lump or swelling that can be felt or seen. It shows the size of the lesion, its depth and its content (fluid or solid): a cyst, a lipoma (fatty lump), a lymph node, an abscess, or a hernia of the abdominal wall or groin. The examination is dynamic: the doctor may ask you to cough or bear down to bring out a hernia. Depending on the result, another test or an aspiration may be suggested.

When is it indicated?

Lump under the skin

It shows whether it is a cyst, a lipoma or another lesion.

Lymph node

It examines the size and appearance of a lymph node in the neck, armpit or groin.

Abdominal wall or groin hernia

By asking you to bear down, it shows the hernia and its content.

Abscess or fluid collection

It locates a pocket of pus or fluid and can guide its drainage.

Preparation

1No special preparation is usually needed

2Wear clothes that are easy to remove or lift over the area to be examined

3Locate the area to be examined and tell us how long it has been there

4Bring your referral, previous imaging (ultrasound, X-rays, CT scan, MRI) and any relevant reports

Procedure

You lie comfortably on the examination table, with the area to be examined uncovered

A slightly cold gel is applied to the skin so that the ultrasound waves pass through well

The doctor moves a probe over the skin, pressing lightly; the images appear live on the screen

For a hernia, you may be asked to cough, bear down or stand up

The gel is wiped off; you can return to your usual activities straight away

Duration

About 10 to 20 minutes

Results

The images are analysed by the doctor performing the examination, who writes a report. The report is given to you with the relevant images and sent to your doctor, who will explain the results and the next steps. You will be told when to expect it on the day of the examination.