What is an Ultrasound?
Ultrasound or ultrasonography is a medical technique that uses sound
waves and their echoes to form two dimensional images. These sound waves
travel into your body and are reflected by different tissues and organs
back to the ultrasound probe. The technique is similar to SONAR used
by submarines.
How should I prepare for an Ultrasound?
Some ultrasound studies require you to drink water to fill your bladder
so that we can use the bladder to aim our sound waves through. This
will allow us to see the uterus and ovaries. With ultrasound of the
abdomen, we will ask you not to eat or drink after midnight to cut down
on gas and allow the gallbladder to relax and open up.
What happens during an Ultrasound Examination?
For an ultrasound exam, you go into a room with a technician and the
ultrasound machine. The following happens:
• You remove your clothes over the area of interest
• The ultrasonographer drapes a cloth over any exposed areas that
are not needed for the exam.
• The ultrasonographer applies a mineral oil-based jelly to your
skin. This jelly eliminates air between the probe and your skin to help
pass the sound waves into your body.
• He/She passes the probe over you skin to obtain the
required images.
• You may be asked to change positions to get better looks at
the area of interest.
• After the images have been acquired and measurements taken,
the data is stored on disk.
Does Ultrasound hurt?
No. Ultrasound uses only a smooth probe and gel so the probe can move
over your skin easily.
What parts of the body can be seen by Ultrasound?
Ultrasound must have solid tissue to project the sound waves through
(i.e. fluid, bloods, solid organs and tissue). Several organs are demonstrated
by using ultrasound: Thyroid, Liver, Pancreas, Kidneys, Gallbladder,
Spleen, Uterus, Ovaries, Breast and Scrotum.
Can Ultrasound find blood clots?
Yes. Ultrasound uses a technique called Doppler Ultrasound. Doppler
Ultrasound is used to measure the rate of blood flow through the major
arteries. Color Doppler can show the blood flow and any blockages in
major veins and arteries.
