Ultrasound

The following information and guidelines are adapted from the Mayo Clinic:

Overview

Ultrasound is an imaging method that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures within your body. The images can provide valuable information for diagnosing and treating a variety of diseases and conditions.

Most ultrasound examinations are done using an ultrasound device outside your body, though some involve placing a device inside your body.

Why it’s done

Ultrasound is used for many reasons, including to:

• View the uterus and ovaries during pregnancy and monitor the developing baby’s health
• Diagnose gallbladder disease
• Evaluate blood flow
• Guide a needle for biopsy or tumor treatment
• Examine a breast lump
• Check your thyroid gland
• Detect genital and prostate problems

 

Risks

Diagnostic ultrasound is a safe procedure that uses low-power sound waves. There are no known risks.

Ultrasound is a valuable tool, but it has limitations. Sound doesn’t travel well through air or bone, so ultrasound isn’t effective at imaging body parts that have gas in them or are hidden by bone, such as the lungs or head. To view these areas, your doctor may order other imaging tests, such as CT or MRI scans or X-rays.

How you prepare

Most ultrasound exams require no preparation, though there are a few exceptions:

• For some scans, such as a gallbladder or abdominal ultrasound, the doctor may ask that you not eat for up to 12 hours before the exam and only drink non-carbonated water or coffee (without cream and sugar).
• Others, such as a pelvic ultrasound, require a full bladder. We recommend that you drink 32 oz of water 1 hour before the exam. If at all possible, do not urinate until the exam is done.
• When scheduling an ultrasound for yourself or your child, ask the office staff if there are any specific instructions you’ll need to follow.

Clothing and Personal Items

Wear loose clothing to your ultrasound appointment. You may be asked to remove jewelry during your ultrasound, so it’s a good idea to leave any valuables at home.

Before the procedure

Before your ultrasound begins, you may be asked to do the following:

• Remove any jewelry from the area being examined.
• Remove some or all of your clothing.
• Change into a gown.

You’ll be asked to lie on an examination table.

During the procedure

Gel is applied to your skin over the area being examined. It helps prevent air pockets, which can block the sound waves that create the images. This water-based gel is easy to remove from skin and, if needed, clothing.

A trained technician (sonographer) presses a small, hand-held device (transducer) against the area being studied and moves it as needed to capture the images. The transducer sends sound waves into your body, collects the ones that bounce back and sends them to a computer, which creates the images.

Sometimes, ultrasounds are done inside your body. In this case, the transducer is attached to a probe that’s inserted into a natural opening in your body.

For example:

• Transvaginal ultrasound. A special transducer is gently inserted into the vagina to get a quick look at the uterus and ovaries.

Ultrasound is usually painless. However, you may experience mild discomfort as the sonographer guides the transducer over your body, especially if you’re required to have a full bladder, or inserts it into your body.

A typical ultrasound exam takes from 30 minutes to an hour.

Results

When your exam is complete, a doctor trained to interpret imaging studies (radiologist) analyzes the images and sends a report to your doctor. Your doctor will share the results with you.

You should be able to return to normal activities immediately after an ultrasound.