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Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of specific
parts of your body. Using a small wand-like device and a
special gel, we can direct sound waves to the areas being
screened. The sound waves bounce back to the device at
different speeds based on the type of tissue the waves meet.
The technologist reads the scan as video displayed on the
monitor, captures several pictures from the images, then
gives them to the radiologist for interpretation. The
radiologist will send your doctor a written report within
three to four business days. The technologist will not
interpret your test for you.
Follow these links to learn how to prepare for your
particular ultrasound:
An abdominal ultrasound may be ordered to evaluate the
aorta, pancreas, liver, bile ducts, gallbladder, kidneys, or
spleen. The technologist will take multiple pictures of each
organ. The exam takes about 30-45 minutes.
Do not eat or drink after midnight the night before the
exam. To limit your discomfort from hunger, we try to
schedule our abdominal ultrasound exams for the first half
of the day. If you are diabetic or have medications that you
cannot withhold, please tell us when you set your
appointment so that we will schedule you as early as we can.
Please wear a two-piece outfit rather than a dress to the
exam so you won't have to change clothes.
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A renal ultrasound will evaluate both your right and left
kidney and your bladder. This exam takes about thirty
minutes.
Please do not eat or drink from midnight the night before
the exam. One hour prior to your scheduled appointment time,
you should finish two to three 8oz glasses of water and do
NOT use the restroom afterwards. The water makes it possible
to get a clear image of your urinary bladder. Although it
may be uncomfortable for you to drink this amount without
using the restroom, doing so will enable us to get the best
images possible for you.
Please wear a two-piece outfit rather than a dress to the
exam so you won't have to change clothes.
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Peripheral venous Doppler ultrasound evaluates the veins in
the leg from groin to ankle, for blood clots or DVT (deep
vein thrombosis). A technologist will use the ultrasound
wand as well as her hand to apply pressure to the leg, to
check for clots. You will be asked to remove your pants,
shoes, and socks. You can keep your undergarments on. The
exam will take approximately 60 minutes for the examination
of one leg, or about 90 minutes for the examination of both
legs.
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A pelvic ultrasound evaluates the uterus and ovaries. There
are two parts to this test. The first part of the test
requires you to have a full bladder. An hour before your
scheduled appointment time, you will need to finish a full
32-ounce cup of non-carbonated fluids without using the
restroom afterwards. Although it may be uncomfortable for
you to drink this amount without using the restroom, doing
so will enable us to get the best images possible for you,
and we will perform this part of the exam as quickly as
possible, in only a few minutes.
When you arrive for your ultrasound, you will be required to
undress and put on a gown. After drinking the fluid as
described above, you will first have the full-bladder exam
which just takes a few minutes. You will lie on the table
and the technologist will perform the imaging with a special
instrument which slides around on the outside of your
abdomen with the aid of a special jelly. Aside from the
discomfort of having your bladder full, there should be no
pain from the exam itself.
Before the second part of the exam, you will be permitted to
go to the restroom. The second half of the test is called
endovaginal or transvaginal ultrasound, and will evaluate
the uterus and ovaries. This half of the test is an internal
exam, similar to a pelvic exam at your gynecologist's
office. It is important in evaluating the uterus and ovaries
for various abnormalities. The entire exam takes about half
an hour to 45 minutes.
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A pregnancy or obstetrical (OB) ultrasound will evaluate
your growing fetus inside your uterus, and may be performed
at various stages of your pregnancy. These tests are not
only important diagnostic evaluations, but they can be
exciting for everyone involved! In order to best serve all
of our patients, we ask that only one adult accompany the
expecting woman for her exam. You can plan for the exam to
take up to an hour, or somewhat longer if you are expecting
multiples (twins or more).
The technologist will create many images for your
physician’s review, and will usually provide you with an
image to take home. Unfortunately at this time, we are
unable to videotape our exams.
If you are having an OB ultrasound and you are less than 14
weeks pregnant, drink 32 ounces of non-carbonated fluids an
hour before your appointment time and do not use the
restroom. If you have a full bladder, the technologist will
be able to obtain the most accurate images of your anatomy
and of your fetus. If you are scheduled for this exam very
early in your pregnancy, you may also an endovaginal or
transvaginal ultrasound for further evaluation to evaluate
your uterus and ovaries. This half of the test is an
internal exam, similar to a pelvic exam at your
gynecologist's office. The entire exam takes about half an
hour to 45 minutes.
If you are more than 14 weeks pregnant, you will need to
have a full bladder when you arrive. Please try to drink 32
oz of non-carbonated fluids one hour before your exam and do
not use the restroom. We understand that this may be
impossible to accomplish late in your pregnancy, but do your
best to fill your bladder.
If you are expecting multiples (twins or more), please
inform the scheduling staff so that we allow enough time to
evaluate each of your fetuses!
Please wear a two-piece outfit rather than a dress to the
exam so you won't have to change clothes.
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This type of ultrasound will evaluate the thyroid gland,
found in the front part of your neck. There are no special
preparation instructions for this test. Do wear a
button-down or V-neck shirt so that you won't have to change
clothes. This exam takes about 30 minutes.
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This type of ultrasound will look at your testicles and
other structures within the scrotum. There are no special
preparation instructions for this test. This exam takes
about 30 minutes.
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A breast ultrasound may be requested in connection with a
mammogram. While the mammogram is still the most accurate
method of breast screening, the ultrasound can provide
additional information in many situations. There are no
special preparation instructions for this exam. Wear a
two-piece outfit rather than a dress so that you will only
have to change from the waist up. This exam takes about 30
minutes.
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If a cyst has been identified in your breast, the doctor may
recommend that it be aspirated under ultrasound guidance.
You will be given a small injection of numbing medication in
your breast. Using the ultrasound camera, the doctor will
insert a small needle into the cyst and drain the fluid. The
doctor will apply pressure to your breast to prevent
bleeding. After the procedure you must avoid strenuous
activities for at least 24 hours. We will give you further
instructions at the time of your procedure. Plan to arrive a
few minutes early. You should expect to be with us for at
least an hour. Please wear a two-piece outfit so that you
will only have to change from the waist up.
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Before your biopsy, a member of our staff will talk to you
regarding health information. You may receive special
instructions at that time. If another facility has
recommended the biopsy, we will review their films This will
help to assure that we are looking at all of the right areas
and that we allow sufficient time when we schedule your
exam.
Plan to arrive a few minutes early. You should expect to be
at our center for at least two hours for this procedure.
The technologist will use the ultrasound camera to locate
the areas to be examined and mark your skin with a marker.
Then she will clean your skin and drape the area with
sterile towels.
The doctor will give you an injection of numbing medication
and then guide the biopsy needle to the area of interest. We
will take several tissue samples and send them to the
pathology lab. We can generally get the results within two
days. After the procedure you must avoid strenuous
activities for at least 24 hours. You will be given further
instructions at the time of your procedure.
Wear a two-piece outfit so that you will have to change only
from the waist up.
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