ULTRASOUND
Ultrasound imaging,
also known as sonography or US, involves the
use of high-frequency wound waves to produce pictures
of the body.
At HEALTH SCAN IMAGING,
we utilize the Acuson 128-XP10 ultrasound unit equipped
with a full array of transducers or probes.
This technique Ultrasound imaging is
both painless and harmless.
There is no use of ionizing radiation. Ultrasound
can be especially useful and convenient for certain
specialty applications.
For instance, ultrasound is a particularly
valuable diagnostic tool for evaluation of the carotid
arteries, the right upper quadrant of the abdomen
(especially the gallbladder and biliary tree), the
abdominal aorta and the the female pelvis (for evaluation
of the uterus, ovaries and deep pelvic soft tissue
anatomy).
Finally,
ultrasound examination accomplished in conjunction
with color Doppler imaging (performed at HEALTH SCAN IMAGING), can
be used to evaluate arterial stenoses or to check
for deep venous thrombosis (blood clots) of
the lower extremity veins.
The information derived
from an ultrasound examination is often complimentary
or supplemental to a more complete or extensive examination
involving MRI or CT scanning.
Is there any special
preparation for an ultrasound examination?
Special instructions for preparation may be given
to you at the time you are scheduled.
For instance, if you are scheduled
for an ultrasound examination of the gallbladder,
you may be asked to refrain from consuming food or
beverages for a period of several hours.
For examination of the female pelvis,
the patient’s are often requested to drink several
12 ounce cups of fluid in order to fill their urinary
bladder, which is used as an acoustic window during
the examination.
How long will an ultrasound examination last?
Most ultrasound examinations are completed
in 20 to 30 minutes.
What exactly can I expect during the ultrasound examination?
While you are being scanned, you will
be lying on a padded table.
The trained technologist will apply gel to
your skin and then the technologist will use a smoothly
contoured probe
to glide over your body while the ultrasound information
is being recorded.
You will feel nothing while a set of images
is captured and digitally recorded.
