Ultrasound uses sound waves and a computer to create images of internal organs and blood vessels. An instrument called a transducer, which emits sound waves, is placed over the area of the body being examined. The sound waves bounce off the organ or structure being evaluated and those sound waves return to the transducer to create the images. These images are sent to the computer and the data is analyzed by a radiologist.

WHEN IS ULTRASOUND USED?

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Ultrasound has a wide range of applications, from adult bone studies to fetal heart rate monitors. It helps clinicians assess the organs and blood vessels in the abdomen as well as organs in the pelvic area.  Other areas of study are soft tissue masses such as breast, thyroid gland, scrotum and arteries and veins throughout the body.

Some examples of ultrasound study types and their purpose:

• Doppler ultrasound (to visualize blood flow through a blood vessel)
• Abdominal ultrasound (to evaluate the gallbladder, liver and other abdominal organs)
• Thyroid ultrasound (to monitor nodules)
• Fetal ultrasound (to view the fetus in pregnancy)
• Breast Ultrasound

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE PROCEDURE?

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A water-based gel is applied to the skin over the area to be examined to block any air between the skin and transducer, to eliminate friction on the skin and provide the best quality images. The technologist then will place the transducer over the area that will be examined. Our ultrasound technologist will explain each step during the procedure.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS AND RISKS?

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There is no ionizing radiation exposure with this procedure. Ultrasounds are painless, non-invasive and have the highest safety use in all of radiologic imaging.   The ultrasound provides images to guide your physician as to whether further study is required.