Private Lumps & Bumps Ultrasound
Soft Tissue & Superficial Lump Ultrasound – £125
Rapid Assessment of Lumps, Bumps & Soft Tissue Swellings
The Blackheath Clinic provides private ultrasound scans for adults who have discovered a lump, bump, swelling or other superficial soft tissue abnormality.
Ultrasound can provide detailed images of structures beneath the skin and can help determine the size, location and characteristics of many superficial lumps.
It is commonly used to assess suspected lipomas, cysts and other soft tissue abnormalities, and can help determine whether further medical assessment or investigation is required.
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No GP referral required -
Experienced diagnostic sonographers
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Doctor-led clinic
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Rapid appointments available
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Formal diagnostic report
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Lumps & Bumps Ultrasound
£125
What Is a Lumps & Bumps Ultrasound?
A lumps and bumps ultrasound is a focused diagnostic examination of a palpable or visible superficial abnormality.
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time images of the tissues beneath the skin. It does not use ionising radiation.
The examination can provide information about the lump’s:
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Size
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Shape
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Location
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Depth
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Internal appearance
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Relationship to surrounding tissues
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Whether it appears solid, cystic or contains both components
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Blood flow characteristics where Doppler assessment is appropriate
These findings can help characterise a lump and determine whether further investigation or specialist assessment is needed.
What Types of Lumps Can Ultrasound Assess?
Ultrasound can be useful for assessing many superficial soft tissue lumps and swellings, including suspected:
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Lipomas
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Cysts
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Ganglion cysts
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Localised soft tissue swellings
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Superficial masses
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Certain enlarged lymph nodes
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Collections of fluid
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Some post-traumatic swellings
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Other palpable soft tissue abnormalities
Not every lump is suitable for routine soft tissue ultrasound. Depending on its location and clinical features, another type of imaging or direct specialist assessment may be more appropriate.
What Can Ultrasound Tell Me About a Lump?
A soft tissue ultrasound may help determine:
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Whether a definite abnormality is present
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The exact location of the lump
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Its dimensions
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How deeply it lies beneath the skin
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Whether it appears predominantly solid or fluid-filled
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Its relationship to surrounding structures
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Whether blood flow is visible within or around the abnormality
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Whether its appearance suggests that further investigation is required
A formal diagnostic report will be prepared following your examination.
Ultrasound
Our Ultrasound
Ultrasound for a Soft Tissue Lump
Sometimes it is not clear from clinical examination alone what a lump represents.
A soft tissue ultrasound can provide additional information about the tissues beneath the skin and help establish whether the abnormality appears to arise from:
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Subcutaneous fat
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Muscle
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Tendon or adjacent soft tissue
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A fluid-filled structure
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Another superficial structure
If the scan does not provide a definitive explanation or identifies features requiring further investigation, additional imaging or specialist assessment may be recommended.
A new or unexplained lump should be appropriately assessed.
Ultrasound is often a useful first imaging investigation for a superficial lump that can be seen or felt, particularly when the clinical question is whether it represents a cyst, lipoma or another soft tissue abnormality.
However, ultrasound is not necessarily the correct investigation for every lump.
If you are uncertain whether ultrasound is appropriate, you can contact our team before booking or arrange an assessment with one of our private GPs.
Where Can We Scan?
A focused soft tissue ultrasound can potentially be used to assess suitable superficial lumps in areas such as the:
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Arms
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Forearms
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Hands and wrists
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Shoulders
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Chest wall
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Abdominal wall
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Back
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Thighs
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Legs
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Ankles and feet
Suitability depends on the location and nature of the abnormality.
Certain areas require a different dedicated ultrasound pathway. For example, thyroid/neck abnormalities, testicular lumps and suspected hernias should be booked under the relevant specialist ultrasound service.
What Isn’t Included in a Lumps & Bumps Ultrasound?
I would actually include this section because it prevents inappropriate self-bookings.
A general lumps and bumps ultrasound is designed for appropriate superficial soft tissue abnormalities.
It is not intended to replace dedicated assessment pathways for:
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Breast lumps
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Testicular lumps
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Thyroid lumps
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Suspected hernias
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Deep abdominal or pelvic masses
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Acute injuries requiring urgent assessment
We provide separate dedicated ultrasound services for testicular/scrotal abnormalities, thyroid and neck lumps, and suspected hernias.
For a new breast lump, appropriate breast assessment through a dedicated breast clinic is recommended rather than a general soft tissue ultrasound appointment.
Preparing for Your Ultrasound
Do I Need to Prepare?
There is generally no special preparation required for a superficial soft tissue ultrasound.
You can eat and drink normally and take your usual medications unless advised otherwise.
Please wear clothing that allows easy access to the area being examined.
If you have previous ultrasound reports, other imaging or relevant specialist correspondence, please bring these with you where available.
When Should a Lump Be Assessed Promptly?
Most superficial lumps are not emergencies, but a new or changing lump should not simply be ignored.
Medical assessment is particularly important where a lump:
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Is increasing in size
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Is persistent
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Feels hard or fixed
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Is painful without an obvious explanation
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Has returned after previous treatment
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Is associated with unexplained weight loss or systemic symptoms
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Is accompanied by significant skin changes
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Has other concerning clinical features
Where appropriate, ultrasound may form part of that assessment.
Our Patient Review
I was understandably very worried and was able to book an appointment within just a couple of hours. From the moment we met him, Dr Mac Sweeney was kind, reassuring, professional and genuinely caring. He took the time to listen, explained everything clearly, and made us feel that my husband was in very safe hands.
What impressed me most was that his care did not stop when we left the consultation. He followed up on several occasions to check on my husband's progress, prescribed more medicine and even went out of his way to provide a letter for our insurance company, which was incredibly helpful.
In a world where good service can sometimes feel hard to find, Dr Mac Sweeney demonstrated a level of compassion and personal attention that was truly exceptional. The fee was also very reasonable, especially given the time, care and support we received.
I would wholeheartedly recommend Dr Mac Sweeney to anyone needing medical assistance and will always be grateful for the kindness he showed to both of us. If I lived in London I would most certainly subscribe to his membership scheme so he could deal with all my family's medical needs.
The clinic has a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, with a fresh, calming scent that immediately creates a welcoming environment. Everything was explained clearly and professionally, making the whole experience completely stress-free.
I particularly appreciated the expert advice and felt comfortable throughout. I would highly recommend The Blackheath Clinic to anyone looking for a professional, patient-focused service.
As I entered the tastefully curated space, I encountered one of the rarest of things: a polite, smiling and genuinely welcoming receptionist. In fact, she was so warm and courteous that I briefly wondered whether I had wandered into an upmarket spa by mistake.
Then I met Dr Sweeney. He was charming, courteous, friendly and thoroughly professional, with the kind of bedside manner that reminds you what general practice can be at its best: attentive, humane and quietly confident. He came across as someone who takes real pride in his work and genuinely cares for his patients.
The whole experience felt like stepping back into a time when patients were warmly received and doctors truly doctored. As I was leaving, Dr Sweeney mentioned that he was off on a home visit. A GP doing a home visit in 2026? I was so astonished I nearly needed examining all over again.
Join this practice quickly before word gets out and the list fills up. This is care delivered by people who genuinely care, and that feels all too rare these days
I had lip filler and RRS Long Lasting skin boosters, and she took the time to explain everything clearly, answer all my questions, and ensure I felt confident about the treatments. Her attention to detail and gentle approach really stood out, and I couldn’t be happier with the results.
Dr Micha Plugaru truly combines expertise with a warm, personal touch. I would highly recommend her to anyone considering aesthetic treatments — you’re in the safest and most caring hands.
Do I Need a GP Referral?
No Referral Required
In most cases, patients can book a private lumps and bumps ultrasound directly without a GP referral.
If another healthcare professional has recommended the examination, please bring any relevant referral letter or previous investigation results where available.
If you are unsure whether your lump is suitable for ultrasound, please contact us before booking. Our team can advise whether ultrasound or an initial GP assessment is more appropriate.
Your Ultrasound Report
What Happens After My Scan?
A formal diagnostic ultrasound report will be prepared following your examination.
Depending on the findings, you may be advised that:
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No further investigation is required
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Clinical monitoring is appropriate
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GP assessment is recommended
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Repeat imaging should be considered
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Further imaging such as MRI is appropriate
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Specialist assessment is recommended
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Tissue sampling or biopsy should be considered
Because The Blackheath Clinic is a doctor-led medical clinic, we can help arrange private GP assessment, further investigations and onward specialist referral where appropriate.
That maintains the same integrated pathway already established on your existing diagnostic ultrasound page.
How Much Does a Lumps & Bumps Ultrasound Cost?
Soft Tissue Ultrasound – £125
A private lumps and bumps ultrasound at The Blackheath Clinic costs £125 for one anatomical area, including the ultrasound examination and formal diagnostic report.
If you have more than one lump or abnormalities in different anatomical areas, please contact us before booking so that we can advise on the appropriate appointment.
Lumps & Bumps Ultrasound – £125
No GP referral required
Why Choose The Blackheath Clinic?
The Blackheath Clinic provides diagnostic ultrasound within a professional, doctor-led private medical clinic.
Rapid appointments available
Experienced diagnostic sonographers
Modern ultrasound equipment
Formal diagnostic reports
Private GP assessment available
Blood testing available onsite
