Contraindications to ultrasound

Question 1

Name all of the contraindications (8)

Answer 1

Over the abdomen during pregnancy, malignant tissue in the area, tissue which is bleeding or where bleeding is expected, vasucular abnormalities e.g DVT, emboli and severe arteriosclerosis/atherosclerosis, treatment on eyes, heart disease, active epiphyses in children

Question 2

Abdomen during pregnancy

Answer 2

theraputic levels of ultrasound could be damaging to the foetus

Question 3

Malignancy active

Answer 3

has the capacity to increase the rate of division of the malignant cells

Question 4

Active bleeding

Answer 4

ultrasound can increase the rate of blood flow therefore causing more bleeding

Question 5

Vascular abnormalities e.g. DVT

Answer 5

ultrasound can increase blood flow which therefore can worsen vascular issues

Question 6

Emboli and severe arterioclerosis

Answer 6

can increase blood pressure

Question 7

treatment on eyes

Answer 7

the waves from ultrasound treatment can cause significant damage to the cornea of the eye

Question 8

Heart disease

Answer 8

The ultrasound can lead to vasospasm which can lead to vasoconstriction of the heart vessels which could lead to tissue death due to the lack of oxygen

Question 9

Active epiphyses in children

Answer 9

Doses of ultrasound can have negative pathological effects on the bone