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What
is ultrasonography?
How does ultrasound work?
What
preparation is required for an ultrasound study?
Why do I
need a full bladder for a pelvic ultrasound?
Why
do I have to fast for at least 4 hours before an abdominal ultrasound?
Should
I be concerned if the radiologist comes into the room to review my study?
Can ultrasound replace
mammography?
Where can I
have my ultrasound study performed?
Ultrasonography (also called ultrasound or
sonography) is a noninvasive imaging technique that uses high frequency
sound waves and a computer to obtain a medical image of various organs,
vessels, and tissues within the body. With no injection of contrast or
radiation exposure, ultrasound is a safe, effective way to view internal
organs as they function and to assess blood flow through various organs.
Parts of the body that can be examined
using ultrasound include the breast, thyroid, abdomen, female pelvic area,
prostate, scrotum, as well as arteries and veins. Medical conditions that
can be detected with ultrasound include heart problems (eg, clots,
defects); abdominal problems in the kidney, pancreas, or spleen; and blood
vessel problems (eg, enlargement or narrowing of arteries). Ultrasound is
also used to check the health and well being of an unborn baby, including
the fetus’ size, growth rate, positioning, and breathing.
When a person undergoes ultrasound, a warm
gel is applied to the surface of the skin. This gel acts as a conductor of
sound and prevents air from getting between the skin and the transducer (a
small device that acts like a microphone). As the technologist moves the
transducer, sound waves are sent through the skin. When these waves bounce
off certain structures, echoes are produced and then picked up by the
transducer. The echoes are converted into images by the computer, which
are viewed on a computer screen in real time by the technologist.
What
preparation is required for an ultrasound study?
Certain preparation procedures may be
required for various ultrasound studies. If your study requires
preparation, someone from our office will call you to discuss what
preparation is necessary before your appointment.
Why
do I need a full bladder for a pelvic ultrasound?
A full bladder is required for a pelvic
ultrasound because liquid allows the sound waves to travel more easily
around surrounding tissue and air, which helps the radiologist see the
organs better.
Why
do I have to fast for at least 4 hours before an abdominal ultrasound?
Fasting for at least 4 hours before an
abdominal ultrasound is required because eating and drinking introduce air
into the stomach and bowel. Sound waves cannot penetrate air, which makes
it more difficult to get a clear image of the organs in this area. Eating
also causes the gallbladder to contract. Motion of the gallbladder
prevents accurate images from being obtained by the computer.
What
should I expect during my ultrasound study?
Before your ultrasound study, you may or
may not have to change into an examination gown. We suggest that you wear
comfortable clothing that provides easy access to the part of the body
being studied.
Your ultrasound study will be performed by
one of our registered radiologic technologists who will position you on
the examination table. Next, warm gel will be applied to the area of the
body being studied. The technologist will move the ultrasound transducer
over this area as images are recorded in real time by the computer.
Although the technologist can see the images on the computer screen, he or
she is not at liberty to discuss any of the results with you. However, the
technologist or radiologist will answer any other questions that arise
during the procedure. Ultrasound procedures typically take 30 to 60
minutes, depending on the part of the body being studied.
Once the necessary images have been recorded by the computer, the technologist will review the images with the radiologist to make sure that additional images are not needed. The results of your ultrasound study will then be interpreted by the radiologist who will report the results to your referring physician. Your referring physician will discuss these findings with you.
Should
I be concerned if the radiologist comes into the room to review my study?
No. The radiologist often comes into the
room to check or confirm certain findings. A visit by the radiologist is
not an indication of abnormal results.
What
do the results of an ultrasound study look like?
Can
ultrasound replace mammography?
No. Ultrasound should only be used as a
complementary examination to mammography. Ultrasound of the breast is used
to evaluate masses, palpable abnormalities, and dense breast tissue.
Ultrasound can also be used for visual guidance during certain biopsies
and drainage procedures.
Where
can I have my ultrasound study performed?
Diagnostic Imaging Associates performs
ultrasound at its Pike Creek,
Brandywine,
Omega,
and
Glasgow
locations. To schedule an appointment, please call the office nearest you.