Clear scans, with your report in about 45 minutes
Pregnancy, women's and men's health, abdominal, kidney and vascular ultrasound, performed at Axis by a qualified sonographer.
- 31 scan types
- Written report
- Open Monday to Saturday
Need urgent help? Go straight to a hospital if you're pregnant with severe abdominal pain or heavy bleeding, or if you have sudden testicular pain, chest pain or difficulty breathing.
Pregnancy
Early pregnancy scanEarly obstetric ultrasound
What it's for
Confirms the pregnancy is in the womb, checks the heartbeat and estimates how far along you are.
How to prepare
Come with a comfortably full bladder. Some early scans are done transvaginally for a clearer view.
General pregnancy scanBaby scan, antenatal scan, growth scan
What it's for
Checks your baby's growth, position and movement, the placenta and the fluid around the baby.
How to prepare
No special preparation. Bring your antenatal card and any earlier scan reports.
Fetal anomaly scanAnatomy scan, 20-week scan
What it's for
A detailed look at your baby's brain, heart, spine, kidneys, limbs and other organs, usually at 18 to 22 weeks. No scan can find every condition.
How to prepare
No special preparation. Book ahead so the scan falls in the right week.
Multiple pregnancy scanTwin scan, multiple gestation scan
What it's for
Confirms twins or more, and checks each baby's growth, position and placenta.
How to prepare
No special preparation. Bring earlier scan reports.
Twin anomaly scanTwin anatomy scan
What it's for
A detailed check of the organs of each baby in a twin pregnancy.
How to prepare
No special preparation. Allow extra time for this scan.
Pregnancy Doppler scanUmbilical artery Doppler, obstetric Doppler
What it's for
Measures blood flow to your baby. Doctors often ask for it when there are concerns about growth, high blood pressure or the placenta.
How to prepare
No special preparation. Bring your doctor's request and earlier reports.
Biophysical profileBPP
What it's for
Checks your baby's movement, muscle tone, breathing movements and fluid, usually in later pregnancy.
How to prepare
Eat as normal before you come. Allow up to 30 minutes for the scan.
Women's health
Pelvic ultrasoundFibroid scan, womb scan, ovary scan
What it's for
Looks at the womb and ovaries. It helps find causes of fibroids, ovarian cysts, heavy bleeding, painful periods and pelvic pain.
How to prepare
Drink about a litre of water an hour before your scan and hold your urine.
Transvaginal ultrasoundEndovaginal scan, TVS
What it's for
Uses a small, covered probe for a closer view of the womb and ovaries. It is useful in early pregnancy, fertility checks and unexplained bleeding.
How to prepare
Empty your bladder first. You may ask for a female chaperone.
Antral follicle countAFC, ovarian reserve scan, fertility scan
What it's for
Counts the small follicles in your ovaries to help your doctor assess fertility.
How to prepare
Usually done on days 2 to 4 of your period. Empty your bladder first.
Breast ultrasound with elastographyBreast scan, breast lump scan
What it's for
Examines breast lumps or pain. Elastography also measures tissue stiffness, which gives your doctor extra information. It doesn't replace a biopsy where one is needed.
How to prepare
No special preparation. Avoid lotion or powder on your chest. Bring earlier reports.
Abdomen and kidneys
Abdominal ultrasoundAbdominal scan, liver scan, gallbladder scan
What it's for
Checks the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen and kidneys. It helps assess gallstones, fatty liver and abdominal pain.
How to prepare
Eat nothing for 6 to 8 hours before your scan. You may drink plain water.
Abdominopelvic ultrasoundFull abdominal scan, abdomen and pelvis scan
What it's for
Combines the abdominal scan with the bladder and pelvic organs in one visit.
How to prepare
Eat nothing for 6 to 8 hours. Drink water an hour before and hold your urine.
KUB ultrasoundKidney scan, bladder scan, kidney stone scan
What it's for
Checks the kidneys, ureters and bladder for stones, swelling, cysts and problems passing urine.
How to prepare
Drink about a litre of water an hour before your scan and hold your urine.
Renal artery DopplerKidney artery scan
What it's for
Measures blood flow to the kidneys. Doctors may request it for hard-to-control high blood pressure.
How to prepare
Eat nothing for 6 to 8 hours before your scan. You may drink plain water.
Hepatic Doppler ultrasoundLiver Doppler
What it's for
Checks blood flow through the liver, which helps doctors assess chronic liver disease and its complications.
How to prepare
Eat nothing for 6 to 8 hours before your scan. You may drink plain water.
Chest ultrasoundPleural scan
What it's for
Checks for fluid around the lungs and looks at some chest wall problems.
How to prepare
No special preparation.
Men's health
Urological ultrasoundProstate scan, urinary tract scan
What it's for
Checks the kidneys, bladder and prostate. It helps assess weak urine flow, frequent urination and an enlarged prostate.
How to prepare
Drink about a litre of water an hour before your scan and hold your urine.
Transrectal ultrasoundTRUS, prostate ultrasound
What it's for
Gives a closer view of the prostate using a small, covered probe.
How to prepare
We'll give you preparation instructions when you book. Please bring your doctor's request.
Testicular Doppler ultrasoundScrotal scan
What it's for
Checks the testes and their blood supply for swelling, lumps, varicocele and pain.
How to prepare
No special preparation. Sudden, severe testicular pain is an emergency, so go straight to a hospital.
Penile ultrasoundPenile Doppler
What it's for
Assesses blood flow and tissue in the penis, for example with erectile problems or a curve.
How to prepare
Done on your doctor's request. We'll explain the procedure when you book.
Thyroid, neck and lumps
Thyroid scanThyroid ultrasound, goitre scan
What it's for
Checks the size of the thyroid and looks for swelling, nodules or goitre.
How to prepare
No special preparation. Bring your thyroid blood test results if you have them.
Thyroid elastographyThyroid nodule stiffness scan
What it's for
Adds a stiffness measurement to a thyroid scan, giving your doctor more information about a nodule.
How to prepare
No special preparation. Bring earlier scan reports.
Salivary gland ultrasoundParotid scan
What it's for
Checks swelling or pain around the jaw and under the tongue, including stones and lumps.
How to prepare
No special preparation.
Small parts ultrasoundLump scan, neck scan, lymph node scan
What it's for
Examines lumps and swellings near the skin, including neck masses and lymph nodes.
How to prepare
No special preparation. Tell us where the lump is when you book.
Blood vessels and circulation
Carotid duplex ultrasoundNeck artery scan, stroke risk scan
What it's for
Checks the neck arteries that carry blood to the brain for narrowing or blockage.
How to prepare
No special preparation. Wear a top with an open neck.
Arterial Doppler ultrasoundLeg artery scan, circulation scan
What it's for
Checks arteries in the arms or legs. It helps assess leg pain on walking, poor circulation and non-healing wounds, including in diabetes.
How to prepare
No special preparation. Wear loose clothing.
Venous Doppler ultrasoundDVT scan, varicose vein scan
What it's for
Looks for blood clots and problems with leg veins, such as varicose veins. A swollen, painful leg should be checked promptly.
How to prepare
No special preparation. Wear loose clothing. If you also have chest pain or difficulty breathing, go to a hospital at once.
Transcranial DopplerTCD, sickle cell stroke screening
What it's for
Measures blood flow in the brain. It is used to help assess stroke risk, including in children with sickle cell disease.
How to prepare
No special preparation. Children should be calm and awake, so bring a favourite toy or book.
Muscles, joints and eyes
Musculoskeletal ultrasoundMSK scan: shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, thigh
What it's for
Checks muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints for tears, inflammation and fluid.
How to prepare
No special preparation. Wear clothing that lets us reach the affected area.
Ocular ultrasoundEye scan
What it's for
Looks inside the eye when the view is blocked, for example by a dense cataract or bleeding.
How to prepare
Remove contact lenses. Your eyelid stays closed during the scan. Sudden loss of vision needs urgent eye care.
We couldn't find that scan. Send us the name on your request form and we'll check it for you.
Before your scan
A little preparation gives a clearer picture.
Bring your paperwork
Bring your doctor's request if you have one, your antenatal card and any earlier reports.
Follow the preparation
Some scans need a full bladder or an empty stomach. Open a scan above to see what yours needs.
Discuss your report
Take your report back to your doctor, who will explain what it means for your care.
X-ray and CT are coming soon
We're working to add X-ray and CT scanning to Axis. Message us if you'd like to know when they're available.