It is used to help diagnose the causes of pain, swelling and infection in the body. Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can show the structure and movement of the body's internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels. It’s also used to help guide biopsies and diagnose heart conditions.
Type of procedure and preparation before exam:
Pelvic or OB – Female patients should drink plenty of water one hour prior to the examination and should not urinate. The bladder must be full for the exam.
Gallbladder or Pancreas – The day before the exam, eat a “fat-free” dinner (lean meat, fresh vegetables, toast or bread with jelly and coffee or teas. No eggs, butter, fried or fatty foods). On the day of the exam, do not eat or drink anything until after the exam. Diabetic patients and others with special health conditions should consult with their primary care physician.
Length of procedure:
15-30 minutes
Post-exam instructions:
You can resume normal activities right away as long as your physician has not instructed you differently.
Results turn-around time:
A radiologist will interpret your exam and transcribed report will be available to the ordering physician within 48 hours.
This radiation-free imaging is offered in our radiological care centers for the following areas:
- Abdominal organs
- Breast diagnostics (see Competence Center Breast Diagnostics)
- Thyroid gland
- Soft tissues
Arterial color-coded Doppler sonography is the method of choice for many vascular diseases for the detection or exclusion of vascular narrowing (stenoses). If we detect significant luminal narrowing, our team from the Competence Center Vascular Diseases is ready to discuss possible minimally invasive therapy options that we offer in our vascular centers.
