Diagnostic ultrasound: what it is, types and uses
Informational Guide · Silo Ultrasound · Colombia 2026
Diagnostic ultrasound: what it is, what it is used for, and what studies it includes
Diagnostic ultrasound is the most requested imaging modality in medicine — without radiation, in real time, and with immediate results. Complete guide to types of studies, indications, and what to expect from the exam in Colombia 2026
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GSMED Imaging medical team — diagnostic ultrasound Colombia
Based on: AIUM — American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine Practice Guidelines 2024, ISUOG — International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology 2024, and Colombia Ministry of Health ultrasound service licensing regulations 2023.
Diagnostic ultrasound uses ultrasound waves — very high-frequency sound, between 2 and 15 MHz — to generate real-time images of the inside of the body. It does not use ionizing radiation, it is painless, does not require special preparation in most cases, and the results are obtained during the exam itself. That is why it is the most requested imaging study in medicine: more than 2 billion ultrasounds are performed every year worldwide.
1. How diagnostic ultrasound works
The ultrasound machine's transducer emits ultrasound pulses that penetrate the tissues and bounce off the interfaces between structures of different densities — bone, muscle, fat, fluid. The echoes that return to the transducer are converted into an electrical signal, and the ultrasound machine's processor translates them into a real-time image on the monitor. The doctor sees the movement of the heart, the blood flow in the vessels, and the inside of the organs while moving the transducer over the patient's skin.
No radiation
Does not use X-rays — safe for pregnancy, children, and any patient
Real time
The image is generated instantly — the doctor sees the movement of the organs
2–30 min
Typical duration depending on the type of study — no hospitalization or recovery
2 MHz–15 MHz
Frequency range — higher frequency = higher resolution but lower penetration
2. Types of diagnostic ultrasound — all possible studies
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Obstetric ultrasound
The most requested study in gynecology — confirms pregnancy, evaluates fetal development, detects malformations, measures amniotic fluid, and evaluates the placenta. Different types depending on the trimester: first-trimester ultrasound (nuchal translucency), second-trimester morphological ultrasound, and third-trimester fetal well-being ultrasound.
→ Pregnancy · Morphological · Fetal well-being · Nuchal translucency
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Echocardiography
Ultrasound of the heart — evaluates the heart chambers, valves, pumping function (ejection fraction), and pericardium. With Doppler, it measures pressure gradients in the valves and detects regurgitations. Indicated for suspected heart failure, valvular heart disease, ischemic heart disease, and post-infarction follow-up.
→ Heart function · Valves · LVEF · Intracardiac Doppler
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Abdominal ultrasound
Evaluates the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, bladder, and large vessels. It is the initial study for abdominal pain, jaundice, hematuria, palpable abdominal mass, and follow-up of known pathology. Requires fasting for 4–6 hours for optimal visualization of the gallbladder and bile ducts.
→ Liver · Gallbladder · Kidneys · Pancreas · Spleen
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Musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound
Tendons, ligaments, muscles, bursae, and joints. Detects tendon ruptures, synovitis, joint effusions, and bursitis. Higher resolution than MRI for superficial structures. Allows guided joint injections with 95–99% accuracy.
→ Tendons · Joints · Synovitis · Guided injections
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Vascular ultrasound (duplex)
Evaluates blood flow in arteries and veins with Doppler — carotids (stroke risk), peripheral arteries (claudication), veins (deep vein thrombosis), and abdominal vessels (aorta, renal artery). Combines B-mode imaging with color and spectral Doppler in the same study.
→ Carotids · DVT · Aorta · Renal artery · Varicose veins
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Breast and thyroid ultrasound
Breast: complements mammography to characterize nodules (BI-RADS) and detect lesions in dense breasts. Thyroid: classifies thyroid nodules (TIRADS), detects goiter, and cervical lymphadenopathy. Guides biopsies of both glands with fine-needle aspiration (FNA) or core needle biopsy (Tru-cut).
→ Breast BI-RADS · Thyroid TIRADS · Guided FNA
3. Preparation according to the type of ultrasound
| Type of ultrasound | Required preparation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Abdominal (liver, gallbladder, pancreas) | Fast for 4–6 hours · Do not drink milk or juice | The gallbladder filled with bile is only visible while fasting — it contracts after eating |
| Renal (kidneys, bladder) | Full bladder — drink 1 liter of water 1 hour before without urinating | A full bladder displaces the bowel and allows visualization of the bladder floor |
| Obstetric (first trimester, transvaginal) | Full bladder for transabdominal · Empty bladder for transvaginal | A full bladder acts as an acoustic window in transabdominal ultrasound |
| Breast and thyroid | No preparation | Superficial structures — do not depend on fasting |
| Musculoskeletal | No preparation · Comfortable clothing to expose the area | Superficial structures accessible without preparation |
| Echocardiography | No preparation for resting · Fasting for stress test | Only the stress echo requires fasting due to the risk of physical exertion |
Is diagnostic ultrasound the same as ultrasound?
Yes — ultrasound and sonography are exactly the same. "Ultrasound" is the most commonly used medical term in Colombia and Spain. "Sonography" is the most commonly used term in Central America and Mexico, and also in technical contexts in Colombia. "Sonography" is the Anglo-Saxon term (sonography). All three refer to the same procedure: medical imaging generated with ultrasound waves. In Colombian medical reports, "ultrasound" or "sonography" are used interchangeably.
How long does it take to get the results of a diagnostic ultrasound?
The results of an ultrasound depend on who performs it. If it is performed by an sonologist (radiologist or gynecologist trained in ultrasound), the written report is ready the same day or within 24–48 hours. In diagnostic centers, the doctor dictates the report immediately, and it is delivered in print at the end of the study. In busy hospitals, it may take 24–72 hours. Digital images (CD or DICOM) are available immediately.
Ultrasound machines for diagnostic use in Colombia — GSMED Imaging
VINNO and Mindray for complete diagnostic ultrasound — with transducers for all specialties, INVIMA registration, and local technical support.
Request information →Related articles
Sources
- AIUM. Practice Guidelines for the Performance of Diagnostic Ultrasound Examinations. aium.org. 2024. AIUM 2024
- ISUOG. Practice guidelines — basic training in ultrasound. isuog.org. 2024. ISUOG 2024
- Minsalud. Licensing of ultrasound services in Colombia. minsalud.gov.co. 2023. Colombia
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