| Ultrasound Unit |
| Ultrasound is a simple, safe, painless diagnostic procedure that bounces high-frequency sound waves off parts of the body and captures the returning “echoes” as images. There is no injection or radiation exposure associated with ultrasound.
HNDL’s Imaging Department offers many different types of ultrasound exams including abdomen, carotids, venous, pelvis, thyroid, renal, scrotum, and obstetrical. Ultrasound is able to capture moving images of pelvic and abdominal structures. We are able to view the developing fetus on our 4D unit, among other applications. When enhanced with a special technique called Doppler, ultrasound can also capture blood flow in the vessels and document moving images of the heart using echocardiography. |
Exam Preparation
- Preparation for your ultrasound will depend on the type of exam; our scheduling associate will review this with you when you schedule your appointment.
- Wear comfortable clothing. Depending on your exam you may need to remove clothing and jewelry.
- Please bring previous imaging study results (X-ray, MRI, CT, etc.) such as reports, films or CD-ROMs if available.
During the exam
- Most ultrasounds are fast, easy, and painless.
- You will be positioned on a cushioned table and a clear water-based gel will be applied to your skin; the gel acts as a conductor.
- The radiologist presses a transducer, a hand-held device that sends and receives ultrasound signals firmly against the skin and sweeps it back and forth to image the area of interest.
- Images are instantly captured on a television-like monitor and transferred to a radiologist to review and interpret.
- Depending on the type of exam, it can take anywhere from 10-30 minutes.
After the exam
- The radiologist will analyze images of the specific area of the body you had examined. For instance, if you had an ultrasound of your abdomen, an abdominal imaging radiologist will review your images.
- The radiologist will then dictate a diagnostic report which is delivered to you in 24 hours from your appointment