Ultrasound

Ultrasound technology uses high-frequency sound waves to produce exceptionally high-quality moving images of the fetus, heart, abdominal organs and other soft tissues of the body. It can also be used for scanning other organs such as the liver, kidneys, uterus and ovaries. It is especially useful in the diagnosis of disease conditions in breasts, testicles and the thyroid.

How Ultrasound Works

A handheld transducer functions as both a generator of sound (like a speaker) and a detector (like a microphone). When the transducer is pressed against the skin with a lubricating jelly, it directs inaudible, high-frequency sound waves into the body. As the sound echoes from the body’s fluids and tissues, the transducer records the strength and character of the reflected waves. These echoes are instantly measured and displayed by a computer, which in turn creates a real-time picture on the monitor. Internal images of the area show on a screen and can be recorded as a video and printed as a photo. This painless test lasts about 15–20 minutes.

Types of Ultrasound

Different types of ultrasound are offered at specific imaging center locations, some include:

• General Ultrasound
• Abdomen
• Pelvis
• Prostate
• Testicular
• Thyroid
• Breast Ultrasound
  Provided by the MemorialCare Breast Centers
• Obstetrical Ultrasound
• Pediatric Ultrasound
• Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy
• Ultrasound-Guided Paracentisis
• Ultrasound-Guided Thoracentesis
• Vascular Studies for Veins and Arteries
  Provided by Heart & Vascular Care
• Abdominal Ultrasound
• Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI)
• Arterial Duplex Scan
• Carotid Ultrasound
• Venous Duplex Scan