Sonography, also called diagnostic ultrasound, is a diagnostic imaging technique that makes use of high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the organs inside the body. An extensive range of conditions can be diagnosed using this technique. It is one of the most commonly used diagnostic methods today. It is a non-invasive technique that is safe and painless.

Sonography is used to diagnose diseases and assess internal damage such as swelling and infections caused due to an illness. It is useful for evaluating blood flow through major blood vessels, examining lumps in the breast, guiding needles for biopsies, and detecting genital, prostate, gallbladder, liver and kidney problems. It is also used to view the uterus and foetus during pregnancy.

Sonography is acommon procedure performed in obstetrics. It is considered safe as it uses sound waves instead of radiation like X-rays. Ultrasound has been used for more than 30 years now without any serious risks being detected. One of the few risks associated with sonography is that it may misdiagnose some congenital disabilities. Further tests may be required to confirm the diagnosis.

Sonography and X-ray have a key difference; sonography uses high-frequency sound waves while X-ray uses radiation. This radiation is in a minimal amount, and the benefits greatly outweigh the risks. Generally, sonography is used to detect conditions of soft tissues like liver, kidney, heart, ligaments, and tendons while x-rays are used for imaging hard tissue like bones, teeth, jaw, etc.

Preparation for the sonography depends on the type of procedure that is to be done. Sometimes it may require drinking up to six glasses of water in under two hours and not urinating until the test is over e.g. in a pelvic ultrasound. Some scans may require not eating or drinking for up to six hours before the test e.g. abdominal ultrasound. Comfortable, loose clothes should be worn for the test.