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General Scans

Upper Abdominal Ultrasound Scan

£140

Why have an abdominal scan?

An upper abdominal scan involves a detailed examination of the size, shape and appearance of the upper abdominal organs, the liver, pancreas, gall bladder, biliary systems, kidneys, spleen, and aorta. What we can’t examine however, is the bowel simply because it contains a lot of air/gas which obstructs the view. There are a wide range of reasons for this type of scan to be performed, some of which include, feeling bloated, right/left upper quadrant pain, abdominal pain, sickness and nausea, indigestion, gallstones and abnormal blood results of the liver and kidneys.

There are many conditions that can affect the abdominal organs which can be identified by scan, some of the most common; Gallstones and polyps, fatty liver, cirrhosis, kidney stones, cysts (commonly found within the liver or kidneys), enlarged spleen, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and tumours (both cancerous and non-cancerous)

Upper abdominal scan with a pelvic scan

£180

What we do…

We will discuss your concerns and why the scan needs to be performed. We will ask you to uncover your abdominal area from below your chest to pelvis, we tuck in paper towel to protect your clothes. Water based gel is then applied to your abdomen to enable us to smoothly move the probe over the areas to be assessed. During the scan we will ask you to breathe in and hold your breath for a short time and move you around onto your side to access other areas. The examination itself usually lasts around 15/20 minutes; you will feel gentle pressure but otherwise the scan is pain-free.

Preparation for the scan requires fasting from food for at least 6 hours prior to the scan, you may drink clear fluids such as water. If you are diabetic, please maintain your normal food intake but avoid fatty or dairy products for at least 6 hours before the scan. You should continue to take your normal medication.

After the scan…

We will discuss the findings of the scan with you and provide you with a detailed report and pictures where required. You can also take an additional copy of the report to your GP if you wish.

If we find anything of concern, we have clear pathways in place to refer you, with your permission, directly to your GP or healthcare provider and discuss our findings/concerns with them for follow up.

Our sonographers are not responsible for the interpretation of the findings from the scan, they are reporting what is seen during the assessment and will make any referral that is appropriate and answer any questions they can within their remit.

Urinary Tract Ultrasound Scan

£140

So why would you have a scan of your kidneys, ureters and bladder?

This type of scan involves a detailed examination of the size, shape and appearance of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder both full and empty. There are a wide range of reasons for this type of scan to be performed, some of which include, kidney stones, abdominal pain, blood in your urine, recurrent urine infections and pain when emptying your bladder.

Conditions that can be commonly identified by the scan are obstructions due to kidney or bladder stones, effects of urinary infections (UTI), incomplete bladder emptying, cysts and tumours (both cancerous and non-cancerous).

What we do…

We will discuss your concerns and why the scan needs to be performed. We will ask you to uncover your abdominal area from below your chest to pelvis, we tuck in paper towel to protect your clothes. Water based gel is then applied to your abdomen to enable us to smoothly move the probe over the areas to be assessed. During the scan we will ask you to breathe in and hold your breath for a short time and move you around onto your side to access other areas. The examination itself usually lasts around 10/15 minutes; you will feel gentle pressure but otherwise the scan is pain-free.

Preparation for the scan requires a full bladder, otherwise eat and drink as normal – You should continue to take your normal medication.

After the scan…

We will discuss the findings of the scan with you and provide you with a detailed report and pictures where required. You can also take an additional copy of the report to your GP if you wish.

Testes and Scrotum Ultrasound Scan

£140

So why have a testes and scrotum ultrasound scan?

A testicular ultrasound scan is a safe and painless screening of male reproductive organs – the testicals and surrounding tissue of the scrotum. This scan can pick up a wide range of conditions before they progress, for example, if you have noticed a lump, experiencing pain, or swelling or simply something has changed within the scrotum.

Conditions that can commonly be identified, scrotal hernias, epididymal cysts, hydroceles (fluid), varicoceles (varicose veins), unexplained swellings and testicular masses.

A referral is not required for any testes and scrotal scans – there is also no preparation required prior to the scan.

On a sensitive note, our clinics offer a wide range of scans predominantly to women, that being said, we are a very professional, friendly team that aim to put you at your ease with no need for any possible embarrassment that this type of scan can create. You can also bring someone with you for support should you need reassurance.

What we do…

We discuss how we perform the scan and what it entails – this scan is only performed with your consent.

The scrotal area needs to be exposed with tissue covering everything accept the area being assessed. A small amount of gel will be applied to the area and the ultrasound probe gently glides over the area whilst images are saved. The scan is painless, however if pain is already a symptom it may be a little uncomfortable during the scan.

The testicles and scrotum are then thoroughly examined for any abnormalities.

After the scan…

We will discuss the findings of the scan with you and provide you with a detailed report and pictures where required. You can also take an additional copy of the report to your GP if you wish.

Kayleigh

My name is Kayleigh and I have worked with The Scanning Room for over 8 years, and over 20 years of experience within the NHS.

I started my career as a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) in 2004, then training as an assistant practitioner and radiographer. I Identified a passion for ultrasound in 2014 and successfully transitioned to the specialty through a secondment and training at King's College London where I achieved a PGd in Medical Ultrasound. I have extensive experience working across various NHS hospitals, honing sonography skills and building a strong foundation in this field.

I have a keen interest in women's health, actively participating in ongoing gynaecological and obstetric training to maintain comprehensive evidence- based knowledge.

I enjoy all elements of women's health sonography, from diagnosing gynecologically concerns and infertility assessments to witnessing the joy of expectant mothers during their pregnancy scans.

I love being able to contribute to our supportive team environment, and working with my friends/ Sonographers at the Scanning Room.

Lucy

I am part of the reception team and I have been lucky enough to be a member of The Scanning Room family for 5 years now. I have two amazing grown up children, two incredibly naughty dogs, one very old and very demanding horse and I look after my friend’s small flock of 6 sheep!

After I’ve sorted all the animals out coming into the clinic is soo lovely and just what I need, the kettle is barely ever cold, the biscuit tin is, nearly!!!, always full and I get to spend a happy few hours chatting to our lovely families and laughing with, while learning from, our incredibly kind team of sonographers.

Being people centric has always been at the route of my working life. I started out as a Nanny for two gorgeous families, then after having my two, I worked as a fundraiser for a charity that provides activity centres with wheelchair accessible boats.

During an evening out with Lindsay, who is a very, very, very old friend of mine, we hatched a plan for me to join her growing Scanning Room family, and here I am 5 years in. I have learnt so very much about ‘how babies are made’ in terms of fertility, how our bodies work, how babies develop and grow within the womb and how our bodies change and evolve as we approach menopause.

Everyday is a learning day with The Scanning Room Team and everyday is full of fun, love and support.

I absolutely love my Job and I feel incredibly honoured to be a very small part of the life adventures our lovely families and individuals are experiencing.

Take care and I’m looking forward to seeing you all soon,

Ivy

Hello, my name is Ivy and I currently work for The Scanning Room and NHS as a Sonographer. After graduating with a degree in Diagnostic Radiography at the University of Exeter in 2013, I went on to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound at City University 2018. I undertake obstetrics, gynaecology, general abdominal and MSK ultrasound scans.

I love my role as a Sonographer, especially providing reassurance to soon-to-be parents in one of the most special but sometimes worrying times of their lives. I have recently qualified in MSK ultrasound at the UWE and can now provide diagnostic scans for predominantly lumps and bumps and suspected muscle/tendon/ligament tears. In my spare time I enjoy playing tennis and running along the seafront with my husband, usually followed by coffee and cake!

Daisy

I'm Daisy, I trained initially as a diagnostic radiographer in 2013 at Kingston & St George's University of London but knowing I always wanted to be a sonographer went into further study and specialized in ultrasound in 2018 at City University of London where I obtained a master's degree in medical ultrasound imaging. Currently I work both at the scanning room and in the NHS and I absolutely love my job.

I feel very passionately about giving our women and their families a very high standard of care and making sure they leave feeling reassured, empowered, and listened to. I believe that the more informed and relaxed women can be whilst undergoing gynaecological assessment, fertility treatment, when pregnant or just generally regarding their pelvic health, is only a good thing and I am proud to work at the scanning room where I know our close-knit and friendly team really do achieve this.

As a new mum myself, you'll find me spending lots of quality time with my family when I'm not scanning, as well as trying to renovate our home and trying to squeeze as much travel and fun in where we can.

After the scan...

We will create a detailed report for you with everything that we have seen and also give you pictures of your little bean.

Throughout the scan we will be talking about what your baby is doing, how it is developing and what it can do – such a lovely insight into your baby’s world.

If we sadly find that the things are not progressing as they should we discuss everything that we can see, giving you plenty of time to ask questions. We create a report and contact your local early pregnancy unit (EPU) for a follow up appointment.

What we do…

Usually performed over the tummy as transabdominal scan, for this reason having a moderately full bladder will help to see the pregnancy more clearly in the early weeks.

We will measure your little one crown to rump to get an estimated due date and assess that everything is developing normally for that number of weeks. We will also confirm that the pregnancy is in the right place within the uterus and check that the uterus and ovaries appear normal.

We also have the option of performing an internal scan if we don’t get great views over the tummy. This is entirely safe in early pregnancy and will be discussed with you as an option where needed.

So why would you have an early scan?

For most women they just want, or need to see their baby and confirm that the pregnancy is real! For others they may have sadly experienced a miscarriage and just need the peace of mind and reassurance that an early scan can bring. Time really seems to drag in the first trimester, seeing is certainly believing!

An early pregnancy scan will confirm the presence of a heartbeat, diagnose a single or multiple pregnancy and establish an estimated due date. It can be performed from 7 weeks of pregnancy, before this time it is not always possible to see the fetal heart beating but can confirm the pregnancy is in the right place and developing as it should for the number of weeks you are.

We also see women who have had bleeding and can’t be seen quickly in their local early pregnancy unit, or those that have had a loss of symptoms and are concerned – we can provide you with a service that fully assess how you are progressing and will give you all the information you need.

This early scan is not routinely available on the NHS and does not require a GP or Midwife referral.