 OVERVIEW & PATIENT INFORMATION |
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Overview
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Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to
produce high-quality images of soft tissues and motion within the
body. Ultrasounds are used to detect aneurysms, blood clots,
and abnormal growths in the body. During pregnancy, ultrasounds are used
to determine a baby's size, weight, position, and physical
condition.
Images are created of the inside of the body by
placing an ultrasound transducer (like a microphone) against the
body after a small amount of gel has been applied to the skin. The
exam is painless and completely safe for pregnant women and
children.
All ultrasounds are performed by subspecialty
trained sonographers and are interpreted by
board-certified radiologists.
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Patient Information
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> Frequently
Asked Questions
> Types
of Scans and How to Prepare
> How
to Find Us
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Frequently Asked Questions on
Ultrasound |
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Why do I have to fast for an abdominal
ultrasound?
Fasting reduces
the amount of air in the stomach and intestines which can interfere
with visualization of the abdominal organs. It also ensures that the
gallbladder will be distended so it can be thoroughly
evaluated.
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Why
do I have to have a full bladder for a pelvic ultrasound?
A
distended bladder acts as a "window" through which the sound waves
travel and allows the sonographer to visualize the pelvic organs. A
distended bladder also displaces the bowel, which can prevent
visualization of the pelvic organs.
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Does a breast ultrasound show more than a
mammogram?
Mammography is still the best way to image the
entire breast. Ultrasound is used to target certain areas in
question on the mammogram, as well as lumps and painful areas that
the patient or physician is concerned about.
> More
about breast imaging
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How
and when will I get the results of the exam?
After the scan
is finished, a board-certified radiologist will interpret
the study and send a report to your doctor usually within 24
hours.
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Types of Ultrasound Scans and How to
Prepare |
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Abdominal Ultrasound
Assesses the gallbladder,
liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys and abdominal aorta.
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Do not eat
anything for 6 hours before the
test. |
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If you
are having a Kidney Ultrasound, drink 16 oz of water 1 hour
before your appointment. Do not urinate before the procedure. |
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Pelvic Ultrasound
Can evaluate a woman's uterus and
ovaries. Frequently, an endovaginal study is performed in which a
special transducer with a sterile cover is inserted into the vagina. This provides very high resolution images of the
uterus and ovaries.
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Drink 32
oz. of water 1 hour before your appointment. Do not urinate
before the procedure, as a full bladder is necessary to make
the procedure successful. |
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Thyroid Ultrasound
Assesses the size of the thyroid
gland and looks for thyroid nodules.
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No special
preparation is needed for this
exam. |
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Fetal Ultrasound
Most commonly used to evaluate the size and age of a fetus as
well as assess its growth during pregnancy.
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Drink 32
oz. of water 1 hour before your appointment. Do not urinate
before the procedure, as a full bladder is necessary to make
the procedure successful. |
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Vascular Ultrasound
Can be used to assess the
arteries and veins. Doppler and color flow ultrasound are used in
addition to standard ultrasound imaging. Ultrasound can be used to
evaluate for blood clots, most commonly in the leg veins, and for
narrowing of the arteries, most commonly the carotid arteries in the
neck. It is also be used to evaluate blood vessels in the abdomen.
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No special
preparation is needed for this exam. |
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