ULTRASOUND
The ultrasound technique evaluates blood as it flows through a blood vessel including the body’s major arteries and veins in the abdomen, arms, legs and neck.
Doppler ultrasound uses a hand-held instrument (transducer) passed lightly over the skin above a blood vessel. The transducer sends and receives sound waves that are amplified through a microphone. The sound waves bounce off solid objects, including blood cells. The movement of blood cells causes a change in pitch of the reflected sound waves. If there is no blood flow, the pitch does not change. Information from the reflected sound waves can be processed by a computer to provide graphs or pictures that represent the flow of blood through the blood vessels.
Color Doppler uses standard ultrasound methods to produce images of a blood vessel into colors that are overlaid on the image of the blood vessel that represent the speed and direction of blood flow through the vessel.
Duplex Doppler converts sounds into a graph that provides information about the speed and direction of blood flow through the blood vessel.
Abdomen complete: Evaluates the aorta, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, biliary system, both kidneys, and spleen. These organs are located above the belly button (no stomach or intestine pictures).
Abdomen limited/right upperquadrant/gallbladder: Evaluates the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, biliary system and right kidney.
An abdominal ultrasound can diagnose:
- abdominal pains
- inflamed appendix
- enlarged abdominal organ
- stones in the gallbladder or kidney
- an aortic aneurysm
- used also to assist in needle biopsies for extracting cells from an organ for further testing
Preparation:
- Abdomen complete: Nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours prior to the exam. A little water is okay to take with medications. No gum chewing or smoking prior to exam.
- Abdomen limited/right upper quadrant/gallbladder: Nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours prior to the exam. A little water is okay to take with medications. No gum chewing or smoking prior to exam.
This exam is done of the abdominal area using sound waves to non-invasively create images to look at the artery in the abdomen, the aorta.
An aorta ultrasound evaluates the aorta size and how the blood flows through it.
This is recommended for anyone who has risk of developing an aortic aneursym. Guidelines are recommended for persons ages 65 to 75 who have smoked and age 60 and older with a family history of abdomine aortic aneurysm.
Preparation: Nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours prior to the exam. A little water is okay to take with medications. No gum chewing or smoking prior to exam.
A breast ultrasound evaluates breast tissue for abnormal/different texture and/or blood flow. A breast ultrasound can determine cysts from solid masses as well as other abnormalities.
Preparation: No preparation needed. Some clothing may need to be removed. Women under the age of 35 do not need a mammogram prior to the ultrasound. Otherwise, it is preferred to have a mammogram done within one month of the ultrasound. Please have previous films and reports from outside facilities.
A carotid ultrasound evaluates how a short segment of arterial blood in the neck flows up to the brain.
This exam is done to determine:
- Any blockages of blood flow from plaque build up or narrowing (stenosis) caused by a collection or calcium and cholesterol on the artery walls. This can restrict blood flow to the brain and become lodges in a blood vessel causing a stroke.
- If a patient has high blood pressure
- If the physician hears an abnormal sound in the neck with the stethoscsope (carotid bruit)
- Advanced age
- Diabetes
- Evaluated blood cholesterol
- Family history of heart disease or stroke
- Smoking
- Dizziness/light headedness
- Weakness,numbness in your arms/legs, finger/toes
- Unusual headaches
Preparation: No preparation needed. It is helpful to wear clothing with an open neckline.
Obstetric first trimester (before 14 weeks): Evaluates the uterus for the presence of a gestational sac and yolk sac. Identifies fetal pole if present. Identifies ovaries and/or adnexal structures. Records heart beat and crown rump length for estimated due date.
OB second/third trimester: Evaluates position of baby, placenta location, cervical length, baby's size and anatomy.
An obstetric ultrasound is done to:
- Evaluate the living fetus or fetuses
- Estimate the age of the pregnancy
- Evaluate for an abnormalities
- Evaluate position of the placenta and the fetus
Preparation: Only the abdomen needs to be exposed during this procedure.
- First trimester (before 14 weeks): Drink 42 ounces of water 1 hour prior to examination. Do not use restroom. This provides better viewing by the full bladder pushing the air-filled bowel out of the way.
- Second/third trimester: Drink 32 ounces of water 45 minutes before examination. Do not use restroom. This provides better viewing by the full bladder pushing the air-filled bowel out of the way.
Female pelvis ultrasound evaluates the uterus, endometrium, and both ovaries and/or adnexal structures.
Male pelvis ultrasound evaluates the bladder, prostate, and both lower quadrants of the pelvis. These organs are located below the belly button (no stomach or intestine pictures).
Preparation:
- Female pelvis: Drink 42 ounces of water 1 hour prior to exam. Do not use restroom.
- Male pelvis: Drink 42 ounces of water 1 hour prior to exam. Do not use restroom.
A renal/retroperitoneal/bladder ultrasound evaluates the size, shape and texture of the kidneys. Bladder, size, shape and utereral jets are evaluated.
A renal ultrasound is done to:
- Evaluate the bladder wall
- Evaluate the circulatory system of the kidneys, detect kidney stones, cyst, mass or other obstructions
- Look for stones in the urinary tract
- Look for changes in the ureters
Preparation: You will be asked to drink 32 ounces of water 45 minutes before the exam. Do not use the restroom.
A testicular ultrasound evaluates the size, shape, texture and blood flow of the testicles and epididymi (the tube that lies behind the testicles and collects sperm) and the vas deferens (the tube that connects the testicles to the prostate gland).
A testicular ultrasound is done to:
- Evaluate the testicles for mass, infection, and inflammation
- Evaluate the spermatic cord for twisting and cutting off blood supply to the testicles
- Look for testicular cancer
- Locate an undescended testicle
- Evaluate the scrotum for fluid, blood, or pus
- Used as a guide for a needle biopsy when testing for infertility
- Evaluate injury to the genital area
Preparation: No special preparation is needed. Some clothing may need to be removed. You will be asked to remove any jewelry or metal objects in the area to be examined.
A thyroid ultrasound produces images of the thyroid gland which is located in the front of the neck just below the Adam’s apple and is shaped like a butterfly. There are two lobes on either side of the neck connected to a narrow band of tissue. This is part of the endocrine system and can make and send hormones into the blood stream.
A thyroid ultrasound evaluates the size, shape, texture and blood flow of
the thyroid gland.
Preparation: No preparation is needed.
Lower extremity venous Doppler/DVT study evaluates how the venous blood profuses through the vein of the leg.
Upper extremity venous Doppler/DVT study evaluates how the venous blood profuses through the vein of the arm.
A venous ultrasound is done to look for:
- Blood clots especially in the veins of the leg. If these clots break off and pass into the lungs it can cause a pulmonary embolism. If diagnosed early there is treatment.
- Evaluate the narrowing of vessels and blood flow in the varicose vein and as a precursor for endovenous vein ablation
- Placement of a needle or catheter
- Mapping out the veins in the legs or arms for bypass of an area of disease
- Examine the vessels for dialysis
Preparation: There is no preparation for the venous ultrasound of the extremities.