General Ultrasound

Soft Tissue Ultrasound (Lump & Bump)

Characterises a lump or swelling anywhere in the superficial soft tissues: what it is made of, how big it is, how deep it sits, and whether it needs anything doing about it. Fifteen minutes, and usually a definite answer.

Book this scan Call +353 87 382 1454

Duration: 15 minutes
Price: €145, report included

About this scan

What this scan involves

Lumps under the skin are difficult to judge by feel alone. Ultrasound looks straight through the skin at high resolution and, in most cases, identifies what a lump actually is, because the common culprits each have a distinctive appearance.

What most lumps turn out to be

Lipomas, which are soft collections of fat, and sebaceous or epidermoid cysts account for a large share of the lumps we scan. Ganglions near joints, enlarged lymph nodes, and small haematomas after an injury make up much of the rest. All are benign, and the report will say so plainly when that is what it is.

Why measurement and depth matter

If a lump does need removing, the surgeon wants to know its size, which tissue layer it sits in, and its relationship to nearby nerves and blood vessels before they start. A scan report answers all of that, and can turn a procedure that would have been exploratory into a planned one.

When a scan is not the whole answer

Ultrasound is excellent for superficial lumps. It cannot see deep beneath bone, and a small number of lumps have features that need a sample or an MRI to settle. Where that is the case the report says so directly and recommends the next step rather than leaving it vague.

When to have it

The best time for this scan

Ideal timing: As soon as a lump is noticed.

A new lump

Worth scanning early. Most turn out to be benign, and knowing that quickly is worth a good deal.
A lump that is growing or changing

Should be scanned without delay, and seen by your GP as well.
After an injury

Leave two to three weeks if the swelling followed a blow or a strain, so that bleeding and bruising settle and the scan shows the underlying picture rather than the aftermath.

What we check

Looked at during the scan

The size of the lump in three dimensions
Which tissue layer it sits in, and how deep
Whether it is solid, fluid-filled or mixed
Its blood supply, by Doppler
Its relationship to nearby nerves, vessels and tendons
Whether nearby lymph nodes are enlarged

What's included

€145, nothing added at reception

The ultrasound examination, performed by an accredited sonographer or consultant
A written report by a consultant radiologist, with measurements and a likely diagnosis
The report to your GP within three working days, with your consent
A clear recommendation on whether anything further is needed

The price you are quoted is the price you pay. No separate reporting fee, no consultation surcharge.

Why people book it

You might choose this scan if

Lump under the skin
Suspected lipoma or cyst
Localised swelling
Post-injury assessment

What to expect

Before, during and after

Before your scan

No preparation is needed. Wear something that lets you expose the area easily. Mark the lump lightly with a pen if it comes and goes, or if it is hard to find when you are lying down, because a lump you cannot locate on the day cannot be scanned.

During the scan

The sonographer asks you to point out the lump, then applies warm gel and examines it with a small high-frequency probe, comparing it with the same area on the other side where that helps. Doppler is used to look at its blood supply. It is painless. Allow about fifteen minutes.

After your scan

No after-effects at all. The written consultant report follows, typically within three working days, and goes to your GP with your consent.

How to prepare

No preparation required. Please be able to expose the area being examined.

Book your Soft Tissue Ultrasound (Lump & Bump)

€145 including the consultant report, 15 minutes. Choose a time online, or send an enquiry and we will call you back, usually within one working day. If you need to reschedule, please let us know as early as you can.

Request an Appointment Call +353 87 382 1454

Questions

Frequently asked

Do I need a GP referral?

No. You can refer yourself. If your GP has already examined the lump, bring their letter.

Can ultrasound tell me if a lump is cancer?

It can characterise most lumps confidently, and it identifies the great majority that are clearly benign. Where a lump has features that are not clear-cut, the report says so and recommends a sample or an MRI. Ultrasound narrows the question; a biopsy answers it definitively.

My lump comes and goes. Should I still book?

Book for a time when it is likely to be present, and mark it beforehand if you can. If it is not there on the day, we cannot scan it, and we would rather rearrange than charge you for a scan of nothing.

Can you scan more than one lump?

Yes. Tell us when you book how many and where, so enough time is allowed.

Does it hurt?

No, though pressure on an already tender lump can be uncomfortable. Tell the sonographer and they will use a lighter touch.

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