Editing Medical ultrasound (section)

=== Gynecology and obstetrics ===
{{Main|Gynecologic ultrasonography|Obstetric ultrasonography}}

[[File:Head-3D.jpg|thumb|right|Orthogonal planes of a three-dimensional sonographic volume with transverse and coronal measurements for estimating fetal cranial volume<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1177/875647938500100504 |title=Fetal Biometry: Vertical Calvarial Diameter and Calvarial Volume |year=1985 |last1=Dubose |first1=T. J. |journal=[[Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography]] |volume=1 |issue=5 |pages=205–217|s2cid=73129628 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hcp.obgyn.net/ultrasound/content/article/1760982/1906113|title=3D BPD Correction|last=Dubose|first=Terry|date=July 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303035029/http://www.obgyn.net/articles/3d-bpd-correction|archive-date=March 3, 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=2015-01-14}}</ref>]]
[[Gynecologic ultrasonography]] examines female pelvic organs (specifically the [[uterus]], [[ovaries]], and [[fallopian tubes]]) as well as the [[Urinary bladder|bladder]], [[Adnexa of uterus|adnexa]], and [[pouch of Douglas]]. It uses transducers designed for approaches through the lower abdominal wall, curvilinear and sector, and specialty transducers such as [[Vaginal ultrasonography|transvaginal ultrasound]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bmus.org/for-patients/what-to-expect-from-different-types-of-ultrasound-examination/pelvic-gynaecology-ultrasound-including-transvaginal/ |title=Pelvic / Gynaecology Ultrasound (including transvaginal) |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=The British Medical Ultrasound Society}}</ref>

[[Obstetrical ultrasonography|Obstetrical sonography]] was originally developed in the late 1950s and 1960s by Sir [[Ian Donald]]<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hellman |first1=LouisM. |last2=Duffus |first2=GillianM. |last3=Donald |first3=Ian |last4=Sundén |first4=Bertil |title=Safety of Diagnostic Ultrasound in Obstetrics |journal=The Lancet |date=May 1970 |volume=295 |issue=7657 |pages=1133–1135 |doi=10.1016/s0140-6736(70)91212-2|pmid=4192094 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Campbell |first1=S |title=A short history of sonography in obstetrics and gynaecology. |journal=Facts, Views & Vision in ObGyn |date=2013 |volume=5 |issue=3 |pages=213–29 |pmid=24753947|pmc=3987368 }}</ref> and is commonly used during [[pregnancy]] to check the development and presentation of the [[fetus]]. It can be used to identify many conditions that could be potentially harmful to the mother and/or baby possibly remaining undiagnosed or with delayed diagnosis in the absence of sonography. It is currently believed that the risk of delayed diagnosis is greater than the small risk, if any, associated with undergoing an ultrasound scan. However, its use for non-medical purposes such as fetal "keepsake" videos and photos is discouraged.<ref name="keepsake">{{cite web|url=https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm095508.htm|title=Avoid Fetal "Keepsake" Images, Heartbeat Monitors|website=U.S. food and Drug Administration|publisher=U.S. Government|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423055443/https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm095508.htm|archive-date=April 23, 2019|url-status=dead|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref>

Obstetric ultrasound is primarily used to:{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}
* Date the pregnancy ([[Gestational age (obstetrics)|gestational age]])
* Confirm fetal viability
* Determine location of [[fetus]], intrauterine vs [[Ectopic pregnancy|ectopic]]
* Check the location of the placenta in relation to the cervix
* Check for the number of fetuses ([[multiple pregnancy]])
* Check for major physical abnormalities.
* Assess fetal growth (for evidence of [[intrauterine growth restriction]] (IUGR))
* Check for fetal movement and heartbeat.
* Determine the sex of the baby

According to the European Committee of Medical Ultrasound Safety (ECMUS)<ref>[http://www.efsumb.org/ecmus/ecmus-ss-uk.asp Clinical Safety Statements] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626122956/http://www.efsumb.org/ecmus/ecmus-ss-uk.asp |date=2012-06-26 }}. Efsumb.org. Retrieved on 2011-11-13.</ref>
{{blockquote|Ultrasonic examinations should only be performed by competent personnel who are trained and updated in safety matters. Ultrasound produces heating, pressure changes and mechanical disturbances in tissue. Diagnostic levels of ultrasound can produce temperature rises that are hazardous to sensitive organs and the embryo/fetus. Biological effects of non-thermal origin have been reported in animals but, to date, no such effects have been demonstrated in humans, except when a micro-bubble [[contrast agent]] is present.}}Nonetheless, care should be taken to use low power settings and avoid pulsed wave scanning of the fetal brain unless specifically indicated in high risk pregnancies.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

Figures released for the period 2005–2006 by the UK Government (Department of Health) show that non-obstetric ultrasound examinations constituted more than 65% of the total number of ultrasound scans conducted.