Ultrasound

What is ultrasound?

Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning or sonography, uses high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. Ultrasound exams do not use radiation and are usually painless. Ultrasound images are captured in real-time; they can show the structure and movement of the body's internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels.
Advancements in ultrasound technology include three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound that formats the sound wave data into 3-D images. Four-dimensional (4-D) ultrasound is 3-D ultrasound in motion.

Ultrasound is used for examining many of the body’s internal organs including but not limited to:

• Abdomen
• Pelvis
• Pancreas
• Pregnancy
• Carotids
• Aorta
• Thyroid

Ultrasound is also used to:

• Guide procedures such as needle biopsies. Needle biopsies are used to extract sample cells from an abnormal area for further testing.
• Examine the breasts and to guide a needle biopsy of the breast
• Diagnose a variety of heart conditions and to assess damage after a heart attack or other illness.

Doppler ultrasound images can help the physician to see and evaluate:

• Blockages to blood flow, clots for example
• Narrowing of vessels which can be caused by plaque
• Tumors and congenital malformation

What to expect during your examination?

For most ultrasound exams, the patient is positioned lying face-up on an examination table that can be tilted or moved. A clear gel is applied to the area of the body being studied to help the transducer make contact with the body. The ultrasound technologist then presses the transducer firmly against the skin and sweeps it back and forth over the area of interest.

Ultrasound exams in which the transducer is inserted into an opening of the body may produce minimal discomfort. If a Doppler ultrasound study is performed, you may actually hear pulse-like sounds that change in pitch as the blood flow is monitored and measured. Once the imaging is complete, the gel will be wiped off your skin. After an ultrasound exam, you should be able to resume your normal activities.

Exam preparations?

• Wear comfortable clothing
• Remove all jewelry
• Abdominal / Pelvis Ultrasounds Preparation:
• Clear liquids only
• Seven 8 oz. glasses of water or juice one hour before test
• Do not urinate prior to the exam

Abdomen / GB / Liver / Pancreas Ultrasound Preparation:

• Patient should have nothing to eat or drink 8 hours prior to test
• No breakfast the morning of the exam
• Pelvis Ultrasound Preparation:
• Patient should drink seven 8 oz. glasses of water or juice one hour before the test
• Do not urinate prior to the exam
• Pregnancy / Fetal Age Preparation:
• Patient can eat
• Do not urinate prior to the exam
• Carotids and Venous Ultrasound and Arterial Preparation:
• This exam takes 45 minutes to 60 minutes.

Renal Ultrasound Preparation:

• No preparation

For more information on Ultrasound, please call our Radiology Department at 201-858-6572.