UltraSound
What is Ultrasound?
Ultrasound produces images of soft tissue and internal motion through the use of sound waves. This procedure has been safely used for many years and provides information without the risk of surgery or the use of x-rays. Ultrasound detects certain diseases and gives more detail on conditions such as pregnancy earlier than is possible with other methods.
How is Ultrasound used as a diagnostic tool?
Growth Abnormalities - Ultrasound is used to locate abnormal growths (tumors, cysts, etc) when they are small and more easily treatable, and to help determine the best the best method of treatment.
Pregnancy - Ultrasound is used to determine delivery date, monitor fetal development, identify possible complications, presence of multiple births and needle guidance during amniocenteses procedures.
Heart and Blood Vessel Disease - Ultrasound can locate problems such as aneurysms (enlargement of artery walls which can lead to internal bleeding), blood clots, arteriosclerosis and can evaluate cardiac anatomy and function.
How does Ultrasound work?
A transducer which produces and receives silent, high frequency sound waves is placed against the body and slowly passed over the area to be examined. The transducer separates and identifies the different echoes produced by the fluid, tissue, blood and bone. These echoes are changed into electrical energy by the transducer which shows up as images on a screen.
What is involved in the procedure?
Ultrasound examination is not painful. You may be asked to drink fluids and / or avoid gas producing foods prior to the exam. Further instructions are listed on your referral sheet and will be clarified during the scheduling process. Once you arrive for your exam, a lubricant (acoustic coupling) may be applied to the appropriate area for improved imaging. A certified technologist will perform the exam. Films and / or photographs of the images are often taken for further study. Results are read by our board certified radiologists who send the findings to your physician.
Please contact our staff for additional questions.