Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging procedure that uses high frequency sound waves to produce diagnostic images. Ultrasound procedures do not use any radiation and are a painless imaging method used to examine the gallbladder, heart, breasts, fetus, kidneys, liver, thyroid, uterus, vasculature, and other soft tissue internal organs. Ultrasound is used to identify abnormalities and evaluate the symptomatic source of pain, swelling and infection.
Abdominal Ultrasound: No food or beverages should be ingested for eight hours prior to an abdominal ultrasound exam. If medications need to be taken prior to an ultrasound, they may be taken with a small sip of water.
Transvaginal Pelvic Ultrasound: No special preparation is necessary for a transvaginal pelvic ultrasound.
Transabdominal Pelvic Ultrasound: Patients are instructed to drink 32-36 ounces of water approximately one hour prior to a transabdominal pelvic ultrasound exam. Patients are to refrain from emptying their bladder prior to the procedure as a full bladder provides optimized imaging of the uterus and ovaries.
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A breast ultrasound is conducted to evaluate breast abnormalities that are detected during a mammogram screening or clinical breast exam. Ultrasound is used to evaluate a specific area of the breast and is not a replacement for a mammography screening.
Ultrasound procedures provide real time imaging, making it an effective diagnostic tool for guided biopsies. Prior to a guided biopsy, patients need to inform the scheduler of all medications and supplements as some medications, herbs and vitamins can cause increased bleeding. Patients may be advised to temporarily stop taking medications such as aspirin or blood thinners prior to a guided biopsy ultrasound. During a guided biopsy, patients remain awake. A local anesthetic is administered to numb the area being tested, and patients will experience little to no discomfort during an ultrasound guided biopsy.
Patients are asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled ultrasound procedure to allow time to register and prepare for the scan. A gown or surgical scrubs may be offered. For most ultrasound exams, patients are asked to lay on their back on an examination table that can be tilted and moved. Patients may be asked to lay on their side to improve the quality of images for certain organs. A certified sonographer will apply warm, water-based gel to the area of the body that is being examined. The gel helps guide and secure contact for the transducer, a hand-held imaging device.
The transducer is guided back and forth over the area until the desired images are captured. Most pelvic ultrasounds are transvaginal, and patients are asked to empty their bladder prior to the procedure. A transvaginal ultrasound is a gynecologic exam that uses an internal vaginal probe to capture detailed images of the pelvic organs. The ultrasound transducer is smaller than a standard speculum, and the probe is gently inserted into the vagina and moved to different orientations to obtain clear images of the uterus and ovaries.An ultrasound procedure generally takes 20-60 minutes.
Ultrasound procedures are administered by a board-certified sonographer. The sonographer does not provide the patients with any type of diagnostic assessment during the screening procedure, but they are trained to capture the best possible images from varying orientations for interpretation by a board-certified radiologist. The radiologist will read the images and provide a written diagnostic assessment of their findings for the referring physician within 24-48 hours of the ultrasound. A copy of the radiologist’s report will be made available to patients via the patient portal. The referring physician will review the results with the patient and will discuss the next steps for care.
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Innovative Radiology is dedicated to furthering access to precise imaging and accurate diagnostic assessments to ensure that patients have a clear road map to optimally navigate their health journey.
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