Ultrasound
An ultrasound exam looks at the soft body tissues, abdominal organs, breasts, thyroid gland, etc. to diagnose a problem. Ultrasound is also used to examine an unborn baby. It is painless and safe, using only sound waves to produce an outline of tissues and organs. The equipment consists of a transducer which is placed in contact with the patient and a monitor for viewing the images. Images are produced in real time and can show the movement of organs and blood flow. The images are read by a radiologist who provides your physician with a report of the results.
Patients undergoing an ultrasound will change into a patient gown, and will be asked to lie down on a table next to the ultrasound equipment. Depending on the type of ultrasound exam being performed, patients may be asked not to eat or drink for as many as 12 hours prior to the appointment, or they may be asked to fill their bladders prior to the exam by drinking 32 ounces of water 90 minutes prior to exam time.
Abdominal Ultrasound
The technologist will spread a small amount of gel on the patient's abdomen in the area being examined and then press the transducer firmly against the skin. The image is immediately visible on the monitor as the technologist sweeps the transducer back and forth across the skin.
Transvaginal Ultrasound
Sometimes transvaginal ultrasounds are required to provide images of the uterus and ovaries. These exams are performed using an endovaginal transducer. The tip of the transducer is smaller than the standard speculum used when performing a PAP test, and a protective cover is placed over the tip, which is lubricated with a small amount of gel.
Vascular Ultrasound
Ultrasound imaging of the body's veins and arteries provides a fast, noninvasive way for the radiologist to see blockages to blood flow, or congenital malformations.
Ultrasounds are fast and painless, and usually take less than 30 minutes but can take up to two hours in certain cases. Once the radiologist has analyzed the images, he or she will send a signed report to the patient's physician. The patient can call their physician for the results.
Examples Include:
- Carotid arteries in the neck
- ABI (ankle/brachial index) pressure evaluation of the arterial flow in the legs
- Duplex artery of extremities - eval arteries of legs or arms
- Duplex venous - eval veins in the legs or arms for deep vein thrombosis
