Ultrasounds

Ultrasounds is issued for many reasons, including but not limited to.

View the uterus and ovaries during pregnancy and monitor the developing baby’s health

Diagnose gallbladder disease

Examine a breast lump

Check your thyroid gland

Detect genital and prostate problems

Assess joint inflammation (synovitis)

Evaluate blood flow

 During the Procedure gel is applied to your skin over the area being examined. It helps prevent air pockets, which can block the sound waves that create the images. This water-based gel is easy to remove from skin and, if needed, clothing. 

A trained technician (sonographer) presses a small, hand-held device (transducer) against the area being studied and moves it as needed to capture the images. The transducer sends sound waves into your body, collects the ones that bounce back and sends them to a computer, which creates the images. 

Ultrasound is usually painless. However, you may experience mild discomfort as the sonographer guides the transducer over your body, especially if you’re required to have a full bladder, or inserts it into your body.

A typical ultrasound exam takes from 30 minutes to an hour. 

 RISKS

Diagnostic ultrasound is a safe procedure that uses low-power sound waves. There are no known risks. Ultrasound is a valuable tool, but it has limitations. Sound doesn’t travel well through air or bone, so ultrasound isn’t effective at imaging body parts that have gas in them or are hidden by bone. such as the lungs or head. To view these areas, your doctor may order other imaging test, such as CT or MRI scans or X-rays. 

  HOW TO PREPARE

Most ultrasound exams require no preparation. However, there are a few exceptions:

For some scans, such as a gallbladder ultrasound, your doctor may ask that you not eat or drink for up to six hours before the exam.

Others, such as a pelvic ultrasound, may require a full bladder. 

You may need to drink up to six glasses of water two hours before the exam and not urinate until the exam is completed.

Young children may need additional preparation. When scheduling an ultrasound for yourself or your child, ask your doctor if there are any specific instructions you’ll need to follow. 

CLOTHING AND PERSONAL ITEMS

Wear loose clothing to your ultrasound appointment. You may be asked to remove jewelry during your ultrasound, so it’s a good idea to leave any valuables at home. 

 Before your ultrasound begins, you may be asked to do the following:
Remove any jewelry from the area being examined.

Remove some or all of your clothing

Change Gown

You’ll be asked to lie on an examination table.
 

RESULTS 

When your exam is complete, a doctor trained to interpret imaging studies (radiologist) analyzes the images and sends a report to your doctor. Your doctor will share the results with you.

You should be able to return to normal activities immediately after an ultrasound.