Ultrasound
WHAT IS AN ULTRASOUND?
Ultrasound (or "sonography") is a procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to show what is inside your body.
HOW DOES ULTRASOUND WORK?
Because the body contains over 90% water, sound waves can be used in some parts of the body just as sonar is used in the ocean. Each time the sound hits a tissue interface, like a blood vessel, an echo is sent back. Sophisticated, high-speed computers can use these echoes to create a picture of your internal organs. This results in a very detailed examination which aids the physician in his or her diagnosis.
An ultrasound examination is fast, with very little discomfort. No radiation or x-rays are necessary.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT DURING YOUR ULTRASOUND EXAM?
You will be asked to lie down on a padded table and a gel will be spread on your skin above the area which is being examined. The technologist will move a device called a "transducer" slowly over the gel-covered skin and an image will appear on a video screen. Pictures of this image will be made for permanent reference. You may be asked to hold your breath or assume different positions on the table. It is important that you remain as still as possible. Depending on the exam being conducted, you may feel a bit uncomfortable from the fullness of your bladder. For some pelvic examinations it is necessary to put a special type of transducer into the vagina.
WHAT WOULD AN ULTRASOUND TEST BE USED FOR?
Ultrasound is an excellent tool in several diagnostic situations, including: examining the fetus during pregnancy, visualizing certain gynecological functions in non-pregnant women, revealing information about tumors and cysts, evaluating the gallbladder and related organs, and for evaluating (noninvasively) vascular disease.
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE TEST?
There are no general set instructions for all ultrasound examinations. Your physician will give you instructions on how to prepare for your specific exam. It is important to follow these instructions to ensure the most accurate diagnostic results.
In addition, please advise the staff if you have had previous ultrasound exams so our physician can use them for comparison.
HOW LONG WILL THE EXAM TAKE?
The length of the exam varies with the type of ultrasound exam you are having. Please check with us for the estimated time required in your case.
ULTRASOUND TESTS AND APPLICATIONS
Abdominal (Transabdominal sonography):
- Identifying causes of upper abdominal pain, which may be related to problems in the liver, gallbladder, pancreas or kidneys
- Detecting gallstones
- Evaluating kidneys
- Identifying enlargements (aneurysms) and other abnormalities of abdominal blood vessels
Gynecologic (Pelvic or transvaginal ultrasound):
- Monitoring of ovarian follicles in infertility patients
- Localizing of nonvisualized ovaries by transabdominal sonography, especially obese and post-menopausal patients
- Characterizing adnexal masses as cystic, solid or complex
- Identifying size and location of uterine fibroids
- Localizing of intrauterine device
- Identifying ovarian or uterine metastasis
- Characterizing pelvic masses
Obstetrical (OB):
- Patients with a clinical question of ectopic pregnancy
- Evaluating blighted ovum
- Confirming suspected early intrauterine pregnancy
- Diagnosing complications in early pregnancy
- Adding further definition of suspected fetal abnormalities
- Accessing early embryos, ectopic pregnancies, incomplete abortions
Breast (Length of time: 15 to 30 minutes):
- Identifying cysts/lumps
- Detecting breast-implant leaks
- Guiding a surgeon during a biopsy
Carotid Doppler: (Carotid Doppler / D.V. Thrombosis):
- Carotid artery disease
- Carotid occlusions
- Lower Extremity Vascular Thrombosis
- Lower Extremity Vascular Masses
Cardiac:
- Heart valve abnormalities
Small Parts/Extremities (30 min.):
- Testicular
- Thyroid
- Prostate
DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND
Ultrasound, also called sonography, is a method of imaging the body using sound waves. Ultrasound bounces sound waves off tissues inside the body. The different tissues reflect the sound waves differently and reveal what is there. An ultrasound computer uses this information to produce images of the body.
BENEFITS OF ULTRASOUND
Ultrasound is an excellent tool in several diagnostic situations, including:
- Examining the fetus during pregnancy
- Visualizing abnormalities of the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus
- Revealing information about the shape and texture of tumors and cysts
- Examining suspicious lumps found during a mammographic study
- Evaluating the gallbladder and related structures
- Examining certain gallstones and kidney stones that may only be seen with ultrasound
- Evaluating (noninvasively) vascular disease
- Examining the heart (echocardiography)
- Visualizing the flow of blood through the body (color-Doppler)
- Providing new ways to image the musculoskeletal system and the prostate gland
SAFETY OF ULTRASOUND
An ultrasound test uses no radiation or x-rays, and is completely noninvasive.
PATIENT COMFORT
Having an ultrasound examination is fast, with very little discomfort. Depending on the exam ordered, the patient may experience some discomfort due to the fullness of the bladder.
For some pelvic examinations, a special type of transducer must be inserted into the vagina. It is smaller than the instrument used in a routine pap smear exam.
AFTER THE TEST
The patient can resume normal activities.
ULTRASOUND IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER TESTS
An ultrasound study may be used in conjunction with other diagnostic tests. For example, an ultrasound carotid Doppler study may be used along with a CT or an MRI. A breast ultrasound may be done after a mammography exam.