Ultrasound

Ultrasound, or sonography, produces images of the inside of the body by generating high-frequency sound waves. As the sound waves bounce off internal organs and tissues, they create echoes. A computer then translates these echoes into images on a screen, images that can show abnormalities (disease) within the body. The process is fast, painless and completely free of radiation or harmful side effects, which is why ultrasound is often used in prenatal imaging.

Ultrasound tests sometimes use a modified technique—called Doppler—to capture moving images of the heart and large blood vessels.

Vascular Ultrasound

An ultrasound image is a useful way of evaluating the body’s circulatory system. Ultrasound images are captured in real-time, so they can help radiologists monitor the blood flow to organs and within arteries and veins throughout the body noninvasively. Ultrasound imaging of the body’s veins and arteries can help the radiologist see and evaluate blockages to blood flow, such as clots in veins and plaque in arteries. With knowledge about the arterial blood flow gained from an ultrasound image, the radiologist can often determine whether a patient is a good candidate for a procedure like angioplasty.

Ultrasound images may also be used to plan or review the success of procedures that graft or bypass blood vessels. Ultrasound of the veins may reveal blood clots that require treatment, such as anticoagulant therapy (blood thinner), or filters to prevent clots from traveling to the lungs (embolism). Ultrasound of the vascular system also provides a fast, noninvasive means of identifying blockages of blood flow in the neck arteries to the brain that might produce a stroke or mini-stroke.

For more information on vascular ultrasound visit radiologyinfo.org (Non-Invasive Vascular US).

vascular ultrasound

Obstetrical Ultrasound

Obstetric ultrasound refers to the specialized use of sound waves to visualize and thus determine the condition of a pregnant woman and her embryo or fetus. Obstetric ultrasound should be performed only when clinically indicated. Some indications may be:

  • To establish the presence of a living embryo/fetus.
  • To estimate the age of the pregnancy.
  • To diagnose congenital abnormalities.
  • To evaluate the position of the fetus.
  • To evaluate the position of the placenta.
  • To determine if there are multiple pregnancies.
  • To determine the amount of amniotic fluid around the fetus.
  • To check for opening or shortening of the cervix or mouth of the womb.

For more information on obstetrical ultrasound visit radiologyinfo.org (Obstetrical US).

obstetrical ultrasound

Visceral (Non-obstetric) Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a useful way of examining many of the body’s internal organs, including but not limited to the heart, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys and bladder. Because ultrasound images are captured in real time, they can show movement of internal tissues and organs and enable physicians to see blood flow to and within organs.

For more information on visceral ultrasound visit radiologyinfo.org (Visceral Ultrasound).

visceral ultrasound

FAQS

Ultrasound uses sound waves and, hence, no radiation is involved.

Neck/Thyroid Ultrasound
Please wear loose fitting clothes, especially a shirt or blouse with a loose-fitting collar. Necklaces and other such jewelry, which may limit access to the neck, should not be worn.

Gallbladder Or Abdomen Ultrasound
Please do not eat or drink anything for 6 hours before the study. This helps the gallbladder fill with fluid and makes it easier to see.

Pelvis Ultrasound
There is no special preparation. Previously, patients were asked to drink a large amount of water before the study, to make your bladder full; this is no longer necessary.

Pregnancy Ultrasound
Again, no special preparation is needed.

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