| An ultrasound test is a radiology technique, | | | | baby ages, body motion becomes more apparent. |
| which uses high- frequency sound waves to | | | | The baby can often be visualized by the |
| produce images of the organs and structures | | | | mother during the ultrasound, and the gender |
| of the body. The sound waves are sent through | | | | of the baby is sometimes detectable. |
| body tissues with a device called a | | | | |
| transducer. The transducer is placed directly | | | | How do patients prepare for an ultrasound? |
| on top of the skin, which has a gel applied | | | | |
| to the surface. The sound waves that are sent | | | | Preparation for ultrasound is minimal. |
| by the transducer through the body are then | | | | Generally, if internal organs such as the |
| reflected by internal structures as "echoes." | | | | gallbladder are to be examined, patients are |
| These echoes return to the transducer and are | | | | requested to avoid eating and drinking with |
| transmitted electrically onto a viewing | | | | the exception of water for six to eight hours |
| monitor. The echo images are then recorded on | | | | prior to the examination. This is because |
| a plane film and can also be recorded on | | | | food causes gallbladder contraction, |
| videotape. After the ultrasound, the gel is | | | | minimizing the size, which would be visible |
| easily wiped off. | | | | during the ultrasound. In preparation for |
| | | | examination of the baby and womb during |
| The technical term for ultrasound testing and | | | | pregnancy, it is recommended that mothers |
| recording is "sonography." Ultrasound testing | | | | drink at least four to six glasses of water |
| is painless and harmless. Ultrasound tests | | | | approximately one to two hours prior to the |
| involve no radiation and studies have not | | | | examination for the purpose of filling the |
| revealed any adverse effects. | | | | bladder. The extra fluid in the bladder moves |
| | | | air-filled bowel loops away from the womb so |
| For what purposes are ultrasounds performed? | | | | that the baby and womb are more visible |
| | | | during the ultrasound test. |
| Ultrasound examinations can be used in | | | | |
| various areas of the body for a variety of | | | | How are results transmitted to the patient |
| purposes. These purposes include examination | | | | and doctor? |
| of the chest, abdomen, blood vessels (such as | | | | |
| to detect blood clots in leg veins) and the | | | | The ultrasound is generally performed by a |
| evaluation of pregnancy. In the chest, | | | | technician. The technician will notice |
| ultrasound can be used to obtain detailed | | | | preliminary structures and may point out |
| images of the size and function of the heart. | | | | several of these structures during the |
| Ultrasound can detect abnormalities of the | | | | examination. The official reading of the |
| heart valves, such as mitral valve prolapse, | | | | ultrasound is given by a radiologist, a |
| aortic stenosis, and infection | | | | physician who is an expert at interpreting |
| (endocarditis). Ultrasound is commonly used | | | | ultrasound images. The radiologist records |
| to guide fluid withdrawal (aspiration) from | | | | the interpretation and transmits it to the |
| the chest, lungs, or around the heart. | | | | practitioner requesting the test. |
| Ultrasound is also commonly used to examine | | | | Occasionally, during the ultrasound test the |
| internal structures of the abdomen. | | | | radiologist will ask questions of the patient |
| Gallstones in the gallbladder are easily | | | | and/or perform an examination in order to |
| detected, as are kidney stones. The size and | | | | further define the purpose for which the test |
| structure of the kidneys, the ureters, liver, | | | | is ordered or to clarify preliminary |
| spleen, pancreas, and aorta within the | | | | findings. Plain x-rays might be ordered to |
| abdomen can be examined. Ultrasound can | | | | further evaluate early findings. A summary of |
| detect fluid, cysts, tumors or abscess in the | | | | results of all of the above is reported to |
| abdomen or liver. Impaired blood flow from | | | | the practitioner who requested the |
| clots or arteriosclerosis in the legs can be | | | | ultrasound. They then are discussed with the |
| detected by ultrasound. Aneurysms of the | | | | patient in the context of overall health |
| aorta can also be seen. Ultrasound is also | | | | status. |
| commonly used to evaluate the structure of | | | | |
| the thyroid gland in the neck. | | | | is the world's only online portal designed to |
| | | | facilitate the research, It provides |
| During pregnancy, an ultrasound can be used | | | | objective third-party information along with |
| to evaluate the size, gender, movement, and | | | | best-in-class research tools to assist |
| position of the growing baby. The baby's | | | | consumers with critical equipment decisions. |
| heart is usually visible early, and as the | | | | |