Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a simple, safe, painless exam. With the use of a small transducer (probe) and ultrasound gel placed directly on the skin, high-frequency sound waves are sent from the probe through the gel into the body. The transducer collects the sounds that bounce back and a computer uses those sound waves to create images of the inside of your body.
What You Need To Know
It is also used to monitor a developing fetus, image the breasts, diagnose a variety of heart conditions, guide biopsies and more including:
- Gallbladder
- Heart
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Pancreas
- Spleen
Ultrasound is a simple, safe, painless diagnostic procedure. If you have any questions about the exam, speak to your doctor or ask our staff.
What To Expect
- We’ll give you a call before your appointment to talk through preparation instructions and your past imaging exams.
- If your exam requires contrast, we’ll discuss any special requirements with you.
- Be sure to tell us if you are pregnant, nursing, or if there is a chance you may be pregnant.
- On the day of your exam, please arrive 15 minutes early for check-in. If instructed to do so, please bring prior imaging results with you.
- During the exam, you will be positioned on a cushioned table.
- Gel will be applied to your skin. The gel acts as a conductor.
- A transducer, a hand-held device that sends and receives ultrasound signals, will be moved over the area of your body being imaged.
- Images will be instantly captured on a monitor and will be sent to a radiologist for review.
- Once your exam is complete, you do not need to check out with the front desk when you leave.
- After the exam, your images will be sent electronically to a radiologist who will review the information and send a report to your referring provider, typically within one to two business days.
- You should follow up with your referring provider to discuss your results.
