How does ultrasound detect gallstones?

Ultrasound detects gallstones by sending high-frequency sound waves through the body and measuring the echoes.

Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the inside of the body. When the sound waves encounter an object, such as a gallstone, they bounce back and create echoes that are picked up by the ultrasound machine. The machine then uses these echoes to create an image of the object.

Gallstones are typically made up of cholesterol or bilirubin and can vary in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball. They can be detected using ultrasound because they have a different density than the surrounding tissue. The sound waves pass through the tissue, but when they encounter a gallstone, they bounce back and create a strong echo that can be detected by the ultrasound machine.

The ultrasound technician will apply a gel to the skin over the area being examined and then use a handheld device called a transducer to send the sound waves through the body. The transducer also picks up the echoes and sends them back to the ultrasound machine, which creates an image of the gallstones.

Ultrasound is a safe and effective way to detect gallstones and can be used to diagnose a variety of other conditions as well. It is a non-invasive procedure that does not use radiation, making it a preferred imaging technique for many patients.