Ultrasound
What is an Ultrasound?
Ultrasound is an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves generated
by a handheld device called a transducer. The transducer is placed on the skin where it uses the echoes created by the sound waves to create images of the internal organs. Ultrasound does not involve radiation, which is one of the reasons that it is routinely used to examine fetuses in utero. There are many other applications for ultrasound, such as evaluating abdominal and pelvic organs, assessing blood vessels for clots or atherosclerotic plaque, examining the superficial structures of the neck and extremities, and providing guidance for biopsies or for draining fluid collections.
Our equipment has applications in the following imaging scans:
- Abdomen/Pelvis
- OB/GYN including hysterosonography
- Peripheral Vascular including arterial & venous dopplers
- Vascular including carotid studies
- Thyroid
- Testicular
- Renal
- Upper/Lower Extremities
- 3D & 4D Real-Time OB Ultrasound
- Liver including shear wave elastography
Preparing for your exam
Abdominal Ultrasound – Nothing to eat or drink for 6 hours prior to the exam.
Pelvic Ultrasound (transabdominal) – Start drinking 32 ounces of water one and one- half hours before your exam. Finish the water one hour before your examination. Do not empty your bladder until the study is completed.
Renal Ultrasound – Start drinking 20 ounces of water one and one-half hours before your appointment. Finish the water one hour before your examination. Do not empty your bladder until the study is completed.
Obstetric Ultrasound – Start drinking 32 ounces of water one and one-half hours before your exam. Finish the water one hour before your examination. Do not empty your bladder until the study is completed.
A small amount of water-soluble gel is applied to the skin over the area to be examined so you may be asked to remove some or all of your clothing and wear a gown, scrub pants or scrub top during the exam.