|
Ultrasound
imaging is a common
diagnostic medical
procedure that uses
high-frequency sound
waves to produce
dynamic images
(sonograms) of organs,
tissues, or blood flow
inside the body.
Prenatal ultrasound
examinations are
performed by trained
professionals, such as
sonographers,
radiologists, and
obstetricians. The
procedure involves
using a transducer,
which sends a stream
of high-frequency
sound waves into the
body and detects their
echoes as they bounce
off internal
structures. The sound
waves are then
converted to electric
impulses, which are
processed to form an
image displayed on a
computer monitor. It
is from these images
that videos and
portraits are made.
Obstetricians use
ultrasound at a very
low power level to
check the size,
location, number, and
age of fetuses, the
presence of some types
of birth defects,
fetal movement,
breathing, and
heartbeat.
The test is done in
our Ultrasound room.
You will be lying down
for the procedure. A
clear, water-based
conducting gel is
applied to the skin
over the area being
examined to help with
the transmission of
the sound waves. A
handheld probe called
a transducer is then
moved over the area
being examined. You
may be asked to change
position so that other
areas can be examined.
Abdominal ultrasound
is an imaging
procedure used to
examine the internal
organs of the abdomen
including the liver,
gallbladder, spleen,
pancreas, and kidneys.
The blood vessels to
some of these organs
can also be evaluated
with the use of
ultrasound techniques.
The thyroid is a gland
located in the neck
that regulates
metabolism. Ultrasound
is a painless method
of examining the
thyroid. This test
involves
high-frequency sound
waves that are emitted
and received by a
transducer (a handheld
instrument), and the
sound waves penetrate
the body. The sound
waves are arranged
into an image seen on
a screen, based on the
way they bounce off of
the various body
structures.
Transvaginal
ultrasound is a method
of imaging the genital
tract in women. The
ultrasound machine
sends out
high-frequency sound
waves, which bounce
off body structures to
create a picture.
With the transvaginal
technique, the
ultrasound transducer
(a hand-held probe) is
inserted directly into
the vagina. It is
therefore closer to
pelvic structures than
with the conventional
transabdominal
technique (with the
probe on the skin of
the abdomen),
providing superior
image quality. This
test can be used
during pregnancy.
Testicle ultrasound is
an imaging procedure
to examine the
testicles and other
scrotal structures.
The ultrasound machine
sends out
high-frequency sound
waves, which reflect
off scrotal structures
to create a picture.
Carotid duplex is an
ultrasound procedure
performed to assess
blood flow through the
carotid artery to the
brain. High-frequency
sound waves are
directed from a
hand-held transducer
probe to the area.
These waves
"echo" off
the arterial
structures and produce
a 2-dimensional image
on a monitor, which
will make obstructions
or narrowing of the
arteries visible.
|