Ultrasound (US)
Also
called sonography, ultrasound is a simple imaging procedure that bounces high-frequency
sound waves off parts of the body. The reflected echoes are recorded and displayed
as a real-time visual image. Because these images show motion, ultrasound is
used for a variety of applications, including examining a moving fetus, capturing
pelvic and abdominal function, or studying blood flow through veins and arteries.
No ionizing radiation (x-rays) or injections are used in US imaging which makes
this modality an extremely safe and painless diagnostic tool.
Preparation for your procedure will depend on the type of ultrasound being done
and the body area being scanned. Specific preparations are listed below with
links to the Ultrasound Exam Guidelines for general procedural information.
Abdominal US
Fetal or Obstetric US
Nuchal Translucency US
Pelvic or Transvaginal US
Renal Artery US
Scrotal US
Sonohysterogram US
Thyroid US
Vascular or Carotid/Deep Vein US
Abdominal
US
Assesses the gallbladder, liver, spleen, pancreas and kidneys.
Preparation
- For morning appointments, do not eat food or drink liquids
after midnight the night before your exam. Take medications
as usual.
- For noon or later appointments, do not eat food
or drink liquids 6 hours prior to your exam.
- Do not smoke
or chew gum prior to your exam as they can increase stomach
gas.
- Allow 45 minutes for the exam.
- Consult the Ultrasound
Exam Guidelines for more information.
Fetal or Obstetric US
Evaluates the size and age of a fetus and assesses its
growth, development and well-being during pregnancy. Fetal US can be used to
detect some, but not all, fetal abnormalities. This screening allows appropriate
treatment to be given during pregnancy and childbirth.
Preparation
- Drink two 8 oz. glasses of non-carbonated fluids 1 hour prior
to your exam.
- Please do not empty your bladder prior to the
exam. Your bladder must be full in order to better image the
anatomy of your baby. To obtain images of the necessary internal
structures, the sound waves must first travel through your
bladder. A full bladder enables the ultrasound to produce better
images of the areas being studied.
- Allow 45 minutes for the exam.
- Consult the Ultrasound
Exam Guidelines for more information.
Nuchal Translucency US
Assesses the risk for Down syndrome (DS) and other chromosomal abnormalities
in a fetus during pregnancy. This screening test is performed at a fetal age
of 11-13 weeks by a sonongrapher certified by the Fetal Medicine Foundation.
The ultrasound measures the amount of fluid (called nuchal translucency or
NT) at the back of the fetus’s neck. A maternal finger stick blood
test is also taken and sent with the fetal NT measurements to a genetics
lab. The referring doctor will get the risk evaluation in 3-5 working days.
Preparation
- Drink two 8 oz. glasses of non-carbonated
fluids 1 hour prior to your exam.
- Please do not empty your bladder prior
to the exam. Your bladder must be full in order to better image
the anatomy of your baby. To obtain images of the necessary
internal structures, the sound waves must first travel through
your bladder. A full bladder enables the ultrasound to produce
better images of the areas being studied.
- Allow 45 minutes
for the exam.
- Consult the Ultrasound
Exam Guidelines for more information.
Pelvic or Transvaginal US
Evaluates the uterus, ovaries and their surrounding anatomy.
Preparation
- Drink four 8 oz. glasses of non-carbonated fluids 1 hour
prior to your exam.
- Please do not empty your bladder prior
to the exam. To obtain images of the uterus and ovaries, the
sound waves must first travel through your bladder. A full
bladder will enable the ultrasound to produce better images
of the areas being studied.
- To better visualize the pelvic
anatomy to make an accurate diagnosis, transvaginal ultrasound
may be used. This method uses a transducer specially designed
to be placed in the vagina.
- Allow 45 minutes for the exam.
- Consult the Ultrasound
Exam Guidelines for more information.
Renal Artery US
Evaluates blood flow to the kidneys through the renal artery.
Preparation
- For morning appointments, do not eat food or drink liquids after midnight
the night before your exam. Take medications as usual.
- For noon or later
appointments, do not eat food or drink liquids 6 hours prior to your exam.
- Do not smoke or chew gum prior to your exam as they can increase stomach
gas.
- Allow 45 minutes for the exam.
- Consult the Ultrasound Exam Guidelines for more
information.
Scrotal US
Evaluates abnormalities of the testicles and
surrounding tissues.
Preparation
Sonohysterogram US
Evaluates the inside of the uterus (the endometrial cavity).
It can be used to look for polyps and endometrial cancer. This procedure involves
a speculum exam and placing a small amount of sterile water into the uterus while
scanning with a transvaginal ultrasound probe.
Preparation
- Drink four 8 oz. glasses of non-carbonated fluids 1 hour
prior to your exam.
- Please do not empty your bladder prior
to the exam.
- Exam should not be performed during your menstruation.
- Allow 90 minutes for the exam.
- Consult the Ultrasound
Exam Guidelines for more information.
Thyroid US
Evaluates the size of the thyroid gland and looks
for thyroid nodules.
Preparation
Vascular or Carotid/Deep Vein US
Evaluates the body’s circulatory system by monitoring the blood
flow to organs and tissues throughout the body. Vascular US provides a non-invasive
means to evaluate blockages to blood flow, such as clots in veins or plaque
in arteries. Images may also be used to plan or review the success of procedures
such as vessel grafts.
Preparation
Ultrasound Exam Guidelines
Preparation
- Prior to your scheduled appointment, WIS will call you to discuss specific
instructions, review your health and insurance information and answer any
questions.
- For your convenience, print out and complete the appropriate Patient
Forms,
including Patient Registration and Patient History. Bring them with you to
your appointment.
- Follow the specific preparation instructions listed above for
your particular type of ultrasound exam. These may include dietary restrictions
and instructions on drinking fluids. Take your medication as usual (unless
your physician has given you other instructions).
- Leave your valuables at
home.
- Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing. For some exams, you may
need to change into a hospital gown or scrubs.
- Please notify the technologist
if you are pregnant or could be pregnant.
- Please bring all relevant prior
examination films or studies (CT, MRI, ultrasound, x-rays, etc.) with you
on the day of your exam.
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your exam.
What to Expect
During the Exam
- Most ultrasound exams are painless, fast and easy with no side
effects. Allow between 45-90 minutes for the exam, depending on
the area of the body being imaged.
- You will be positioned on a
cushioned examination table. The technologist will apply a warm
clear gel to the skin above the anatomic structure to be studied.
The gel acts as a conductor, eliminating air bubbles between the
transducer and your body.
- The transducer, a hand-held device which
sends and receives ultrasound signals, is pressed against the skin
and swept back and forth until the desired images are captured.
There may be varying degrees of discomfort from pressure as the
technologist guides the transducer over the body, especially if
you are required to have a full bladder for the exam.
- Certain
pelvic or obstetrical exams (transvaginal) utilize a special transducer
that is inserted into the vagina for more detailed imaging.
- The
ultrasound images are captured in a digital format for a WIS radiologist to review and
interpret.
What to Expect After the Exam
- You may leave as soon as the exam is completed and resume
normal activities.
- Your normal diet may be resumed.
- Your
imaging study will be interpreted by a WIS board certified
radiologist who specializes in the area of the body being scanned.
- Your referring physician will receive a report and pictures
detailing the findings of your exam within 24 hours. You should
contact your doctor to discuss the results.
For more information on ultrasound, check out the
Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQs) page on this modality.
WIS sonographers are board certified with the American Registry of Diagnostic
Medical Sonographers (ARDMS). Our lab has received accreditation from the Intersocietal
Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL), the American
Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), and the Fetal Medicine Foundation
(FMF) in Nuchal Translucency (NT).
