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What is Ultrasound?
An ultrasound procedure is a noninvasive diagnostic procedure used to assess soft tissue structures, such as muscles, blood vessels, and organs, as well as developing fetuses.
Ultrasound uses a transducer that sends out ultrasonic sound waves at a frequency too high to be heard. When the transducer is placed at certain locations and angles, the ultrasonic sound waves move through the skin and other body tissues to the organs and structures within. The sound waves bounce off the organs like an echo and return to the transducer. The transducer picks up the reflected waves, which are then converted by a computer into an electronic picture.
A water-based gel is placed between the transducer and the skin to allow for smooth movement of the transducer over the skin and to eliminate air between the skin and the transducer, ensuring the best sound conduction.
With the use of Doppler during an ultrasound procedure, blood flow can be assessed. The Doppler evaluates the velocity and direction of blood flow in the vessel and makes the sound waves audible.
Ultrasounds are used to view internal organs as they function (in “real time,” like a live TV broadcast) and to assess blood flow through various vessels. Ultrasound procedures are often used to examine many parts of the body, such as the abdomen, breasts, female pelvis, prostate, scrotum, thyroid and parathyroid glands, and the vascular system. During pregnancy, ultrasounds are performed to evaluate the development of the fetus.
Preparing for Your Ultrasound Exam
Below, please find a list of the ultrasound procedures that we offer. Some ultrasound exams require special preparation. Click on any procedure to review a detailed procedure description and corresponding exam preparation, if required. It is important that you follow the preparation guidelines so the sonographer can obtain the best possible images.
*All ultrasounds require a physician’s order. Please fax to 859-554-7378 prior to examination date.
General Ultrasound:
Abdominal ultrasound examinations may be ordered for a patient with abdominal pain, for a follow up to abnormal laboratory or imaging tests, for an evaluation of the aorta for aneurysm, or for a variety of other symptoms and indications. Abdominal exams are used as a way to examine a patients internal organs such as, but not limited to: the spleen, liver, gallbladder, kidneys, and pancreas. Color Doppler Imaging may also be used during an abdominal ultrasound exam to assess blood flow in abdominal organs and structures.
Patient Preparation for Abdominal Examinations
- You may not have any carbonated drinks or foods containing fat at least 8 hours prior to the exam. Medications can be taken prior to the exam with a small amount of water.
- No smoking or chewing gum is allowed four hours prior to the exam.
- Gas-X taken the night before is recommended.
Breast ultrasound may be used in several ways. The most common application is to investigate a specific area of the breast where a problem is suspected. A palpable lump and/or a lump or density discovered by x-ray imaging (mammogram) and/ or Thermography can be further evaluated by ultrasound. It is especially helpful in distinguishing between a fluid-filled cyst and a solid mass. It also can identify small lesions that are too tiny to be felt.
No preparation is required for these exams. Bring previous reports from mammogram or thermogram.
Pelvic Ultrasound Examinations
High-resolution diagnostic ultrasound assists the physician in the evaluation of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and related anatomy. Color Doppler Imaging may be used during a pelvic ultrasound exam to assess blood flow in pelvic organs and structures. When conventional scanning methods do not provide accurate diagnostic information, the physician may request an endovaginal ultrasound.
There are two exams for a complete pelvic ultrasound , the transabdominal and the endovaginal.
Patient Preparation for a transabdominal pelvic ultrasound
Patients must have a full bladder before the pelvic exam can be performed. Patients should finish drinking 32 ounces of water one hour before their appointment time. Patients should not empty their bladder once they have started drinking.
Patient Preparation for an internal endovaginal ultrasound
If you are scheduled for both a transabdominal and a endovaginal, you will follow the prep for the transabdominal, which will be your first exam. After your transabdominal scan, the sonographer will have you completely empty your bladder prior to the endovaginal exam. If you are scheduled for an endovaginal only, there is no prep and you may be asked to void upon arrival.
Obstetrical Ultrasound
Ultrasound may be performed during any stage of pregnancy. In early pregnancy, ultrasound is used to determine fetal age and viability. In the second and third trimesters, ultrasound is used to evaluate the fetal anatomy, monitor fetal growth and position, check amniotic fluid, survey the placental location, and more.
Patient Preparation for Obstetrical Ultrasound
- Ultrasound may be performed during any stage of pregnancy. In early pregnancy, ultrasound is used to determine fetal age and viability. In the second and third trimesters, ultrasound is used to evaluate the fetal anatomy, monitor fetal growth and position, check amniotic fluid, survey the placental location, and more.
- For a first trimester less than 8 weeks exam, there is no preparation needed. Endovaginal scan is recommended.
- For a first trimester more than 8 weeks pregnant, patients should finish drinking 32 ounces of water one hour before their appointment time. Patients should not empty their bladder once they have started drinking. Endovaginal scan may be recommended.
- For a second and third trimester, no patient preparation is necessary, however do not void 1 hour prior to exam.
- If date is unknown, patients should finish drinking 24 ounces of water one hour before their appointment time. Patients should not empty their bladder once they have started drinking.
A physician may use an ultrasound examination of the neck to help diagnose a lump in the thyroid or a thyroid that is not functioning properly. The thyroid gland is located in front of the neck just below the Adam’s apple and is shaped like a butterfly, with two lobes on either side of the neck.
No preparation is required for this exam.
Ultrasound imaging of the scrotum is the primary imaging method used to evaluate disorders of the testicles and surrounding areas. It is used when a patient is experiencing pain or swelling in the scrotum, a doctor or the patient has detected a mass, or there has been a trauma to the scrotal area. Some of the problems ultrasound imaging can identify include inflammation of the scrotum, an absent or undescended testicle, testicular torsion, abnormal blood vessels, or a lump or tumor.
No preparation is required for this exam.
Bladder US evaluates the structure and position of the contents of the bladder and identifies disorders of the bladder, such as masses or lesions. The bladder scan is another noninvasive US study commonly used to assess post-void residual.
Patient Preparation for a urinary bladder ultrasound
- Patients must have a full bladder before the pelvic exam can be performed. Patients should finish drinking 32 ounces of water one hour before their appointment time. Patients should not empty their bladder once they have started drinking.
Vascular Ultrasound:
the ratio of ankle systolic pressure to the arm systolic pressure, used in assessing the status of lower extremity arteries. It is calculated by dividing the higher of the left and right ankle pressures by the higher of the two brachial artery pressures.
No preparation is required for these exams. Loose clothing is recommended.
The use of ultrasonography to evaluate aorta size, shape, adequacy of blood flow, and detect abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Patient Preparation for Aorta Duplex
- You may not have any carbonated drinks or foods containing fat at least 8 hours prior to the exam. Medications can be taken prior to the exam with a small amount of water.
- No smoking or chewing gum is allowed four hours prior to the exam.
- Gas-X taken the night before is recommended.
A diagnostic procedure that helps to identify areas within arteries where blood flow is blocked or reduced.
No preparation is required for these exams.
A noninvasive ultrasound test used on the extracranial carotid artery to detect occlusive disease directly. It is recommended for patients with headaches and neurological symptoms such as transient ischemic attacks, hemiparesis, paresthesia, and acute speech or visual defects.
No preparation is required for these exams.
Renal artery stenosis is the most common correctable cause of hypertension. Long-standing, untreated renal artery disease is also an important cause of kidney failure.
Renal artery disease cannot be diagnosed without specific tests. Renal artery duplex scanning is accurate, non-invasive and cost-effective. Unlike angiography or CT scanning, no injection of X-ray contrast material is required, avoiding the risk of kidney damage from the contrast.
Patient Preparation for Aorta Duplex
- You may not have any carbonated drinks or foods containing fat at least 8 hours prior to the exam. Medications can be taken prior to the exam with a small amount of water.
- No smoking or chewing gum is allowed four hours prior to the exam.
- Gas-X taken the night before is recommended.
This exam is used to assess venous blood flow in the upper and lower extremities. This will help in diagnosing disorders such as deep vein thrombosis, venous insufficiency, causation of pulmonary embolism, varicose veins, and monitor the effects of therapeutic interventions.
No preparation is required for these exams.
Venous insufficiency is described as abnormal blood flow through veins that can cause local damage, damage to affected legs, or death.
No preparation is required for these exams.
Cardiac:
An echocardiogram (echo=sound + card=heart + gram=drawing) is an ultrasound test that can evaluate the structures of the heart including the valves, as well as the direction of blood flow within it. Sonographers specially trained in echocardiography produce the images and videos, often using a special probe or transducer that is placed in various places on the chest wall, to view the heart from different directions. Cardiologists, or heart specialists, are trained to evaluate these images to assess heart function and provide a report of the results.
No preparation is required for these exams.
Musculoskeletal:
Ultrasound of the shoulder is a fast, relatively inexpensive and dynamic way to examine the rotator cuff and is particularity useful in diagnosing: shoulder impingement, shoulder instability, and rotator cuff disorders.
No preparation is required for these exams. It is recommended that you wear loose clothing.
Ultrasound of the elbow allows high-resolution imaging of elbow anatomy while simultaneously allowing dynamic evaluation of the joint, tendons, and ligaments.
No preparation is required for these exams. It is recommended that you wear loose clothing.
Ultrasound is a useful imaging modality for evaluation of the wrist, allowing high-resolution imaging of anatomy while simultaneously allowing dynamic evaluation of the joint, tendons, and ligaments.
No preparation is required for these exams. It is recommended that you wear loose clothing.
Hip ultrasound uses sound waves to produce pictures of: muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, bone, and soft tissues of the hip. It is used to help diagnose abnormalities and may be used in infants to check for developmental dysplasia of the hip. Ultrasound is safe, noninvasive, and does not use ionizing radiation.
No preparation is required for these exams. It is recommended that you wear loose clothing.
Ultrasound of the knee allows high-resolution imaging of superficial knee anatomy while simultaneously allowing dynamic evaluation of some of the tendons and ligaments. Knee ultrasound is somewhat limited compared with ultrasound examinations of other joints because the cruciate ligaments and the entirety of the meniscus are usually difficult to visualize.
No preparation is required for these exams. It is recommended that you wear loose clothing.
Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to produce pictures of muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints. It is used to diagnose: tendon tears, Achilles tendon in the ankle, masses or fluid collections, ligament sprains or inflammation.
No preparation is required for these exams. It is recommended that you wear loose clothing.