Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging study that uses high frequency sound waves instead of X-rays or radiation to produce diagnostic images of body parts and internal organs.

BENEFITS OF ULTRASOUND

Ultrasound is an extremely useful imaging test to help physicians diagnose a wide range of medical conditions. It is fast and painless, and no injections are used. Ultrasound can be useful in determining the source of a patient's pain, swelling or infection. It is helpful in demonstrating movement, function and anatomy and assessing damage after an illness or injury. It allows radiologists to observe the patient's blood flow in real time. Ultrasound has also been proven to be a good method of guiding minimally invasive procedures (please see Ultrasound-Guided Biopsies).

TYPES OF ULTRASOUND PERFORMED

• Abdominal (liver, gallbladder, pancreatic, kidney, spleen, and bladder)
• Baby hip
• Breast
• Musculoskeletal
• Neonate brain
• Obstetrical and pelvic
• Testicular
• Thyroid and neck
• Arterial and venous vascular (carotid, abdominal aortic, dialysis shunts, arm and leg DVT)

PREPARATION

There is no preparation for most of the ultrasound. The exceptions are:

Gallbladder, Liver and Pancreas Ultrasounds:

• On the day before the exam, have a low-fat diet
• Nothing to eat or drink after midnight

Pelvic and Fetal Ultrasounds:

• Finish drinking 32 oz. of water one hour prior to your exam
• Do not empty your bladder prior to the exam—if your bladder does not feel full, we may ask you to wait until your bladder feels full since an incomplete bladder may limit the exam

ABOUT THE EXAM

During the ultrasound exam, a water-soluble "gel" is applied onto the skin and a transducer or probe is slowly moved over the area of the body that will be examined. Harmless sound waves pass through the area of interest and ultrasound images will appear on a monitor similar to a TV screen.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ULTRASOUND, PLEASE VISIT:

RadiologyInfo