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Ultrasound (sonography) is a relatively inexpensive, fast and radiation-free imaging modality. It is excellent for imaging and diagnosing a number of organs & conditions.
It is also a non-invasive way to image the vascular system. Modern obstetric medicine relies heavily on ultrasound to provide detailed imaging of the fetus & pelvic anatomy. It can show fetal development and bodily function. Ultrasound can also be used to guide needles for aspirations, drainages and biopsies.
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The ultrasound process involves placing a small device called a transducer, against the skin of the patient near the region of interest: it can transmit sound and receive sound.
This transducer produces a stream of inaudible, high frequency sound waves, which penetrate into the body and bounce off the organs inside. The transducer detects sound waves as they bounce off or echo back from the internal structures and contours of the organs.
Different tissues reflect these sound waves differently, causing a signature, which can be measured and transformed into an image. These waves are received by the ultrasound machine and turned into live pictures.
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Information has been collected since the early days of ultrasound, and it is continuing to be collected. So far, no adverse effects or side effects from the sound waves have been documented.
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The patient will be asked to remove any clothing or jewelry surrounding the area to be imaged.
Then the patient will be positioned on an examination table by a technologist.
A blue gel (which helps to connect the ultrasound transducer to the skin) is applied to the area to be examined.
The technologist/sonographer then places the transducer in contact with the skin and sweeps it back and forth to image the area of interest. Some exams require the patient to hold their breath and turn on their side for better visualization of the anatomy.
After the initial examination, the technologist will ask the patient to wait while the images are reviewed. In some cases the attending radiologist will come in and/or more images will be taken.
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Yes, the technologist is trained in ultrasound and is registered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.
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Eating promotes more bowel gas, which makes visualization difficult. Also, the gallbladder contracts, preventing a thorough examination.
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The filled bladder is used as a scanning window and is used to push the bowel out of the pelvic cavity for better visualization of the anatomy. In females, the filled bladder also places the uterus in a more horizontal position for optimal scanning ability.
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The gel is water based and can be easily washed out.
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The pressure needed for a high-quality mammogram may cause some discomfort for a few moments during the exam. The compression is necessary to spread out the breast tissue so that all the tissues can be seen clearly on the films. This pressure does not harm the breast tissue.
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The American Cancer Society recommends:
- Baseline mammogram at the age of 40
- Every 1-2 years after the age of 40, or at your physician's discretion
- Yearly after the age of 50
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Small particles found in these products may be opaque to x-rays and may therefore appear on your mammogram. These particles can mimic dense areas found within the breast tissue, thereby causing unnecessary concern.
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Breast tissue may be more sensitive due to caffeine intake. Limiting caffeine for a few days before your test may make the exam more comfortable for you.
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If your physician ordered your mammogram, you will be given your results by the radiologist after your exam is done. You will also receive a letter from us with the results approximately 7-10 days after your exam.
If you came in on your own for a screening exam, you will receive a letter from us with your results approximately 7-10 days after your exam. It is important that you arrange to have any previous mammograms available to us at the time of your exam so you can receive a result as soon as possible.
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Yes, a patient may have a screening mammogram without an order from a doctor. However, we recommend that for your best defense against breast cancer, you should also perform a monthly breast self-exam and have a yearly physical exam by a doctor. If you do not have a doctor, we can help refer you to one for an appointment.
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So we can infuse contrast or x-ray dye. The dye is needed to outline your blood vessels or enhance organs on imaging.
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| No, it shouldn't. A few people experience some nausea and feeling of heat, although only for about a minute. You may consider bringing a driver.
There is a slight possibility of having an allergic reaction to the x-ray dye. The only way to know if you will have a reaction is from your previous history or by actually taking the dye. If you do have a reaction, we have medications and a team of highly trained personnel to take care of the problem.
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Your doctor will give you the results after he/she receives them. We try to get them to the doctor within 24 hours.
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It takes at least four cups to properly coat your gastrointestinal tract, from the stomach through the small bowel.
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Sorry, the technologist is not able to give you the interpretation of the films. Only a doctor can do that.
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No, that's not necessary for a CT scan, unless the jewelry is in the area we're scanning.
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The dye we give you might interfere with a nuclear medicine test called a thyroid uptake scan.
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No, contrast dye is not radioactive.
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Your kidneys will filter the IV contrast out of your bloodstream within a few hours after the exam. The barium should pass through your gastrointestinal tract normally. It is recommended that you drink lots of fluid to help eliminate both.
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If your doctor recommended a CT scan, it was because the diagnostic benefit of the x-rays outweighs the risk.
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No. People should not be exposed to x-rays unless they're having the exams themselves.
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It doesn't matter.
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Yes. First they had to study radiological technology for two years. Then they had to pass a board examination to get a license in this state and become registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
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You should not move until the technologist tells you it’s okay to do so.
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The technologist can hear you at all times, and you may talk to the technologist or ask a question in between pictures. You will know when a picture is complete because the knocking and slight vibration will stop.
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Not everyone needs an injection for the MRI. The radiologist decides whether you need an injection based on the body part being examined and your symptoms. Your doctor gives this information to us.
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| If your exam does require the use of the injection, a small needle is inserted into a vein in your arm. We let some normal saline drip into the vein first. This is to keep access open to the vein during the MRI exam.
About two-thirds of the way through the exam, we will inject a contrast agent called "gadolinium." This material is only used for MRI. You may feel a cool sensation going up your arm. As with anything taken into your body, there is a very slight chance of an allergic reaction.
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We recommend waiting for 24 hours after the injection before breastfeeding again. You may wish to pump breast milk prior to the MRI exam and store it for use during this 24-hour period.
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There is no known reason not to have an MRI during pregnancy. However, we generally try to avoid offering this exam if you're in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
We ask that your doctor speak with one of the MRI radiologists (the doctors who specialize in MRI) to discuss whether this is the best exam to help diagnose your medical symptoms.
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Yes, you will not be harmed by having an MRI if you have fillings. Even though the fillings are metal, the type of metal that is in the fillings is not pulled by the magnet. We may see some distortion of the pictures if you are having a scan of your neck, brain, or facial area.
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If you have braces and need a scan of your brain or facial area, the MRI system may have difficulty "tuning" to your body. (The process is similar to tuning in a radio to a specific frequency or radio station.) The tuning process can be confused if metal is in the MRI machine.
Unfortunately, we cannot know in advance how much distortion may result on the pictures. The amount of distortion depends on the amount of metal in the area.
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