Ultrasound Specialist

What is ultrasound?

An ultrasound is an imaging procedure used to “look inside” your body. It uses high-frequency sound waves, bouncing them off your organs and other internal structures to create an image that can be used for diagnosis and disease management. Unlike CT scans and x-rays, ultrasounds do not use radiation to create images.

What can I expect during an ultrasound?

Ultrasounds are performed in darkened private rooms so the images are more easily visible on the attached computer screen. During the exam, a hand piece will be passed several times over the area that's being examined to create several detailed images. A gel will be used on the end of the hand piece to allow it to move more easily across your skin and to enable the sound waves to create clearer images. Ultrasounds are noninvasive, which means there are no incisions. Most ultrasounds take only minutes to complete, and once completed, the images will be analyzed and the results will be provided to your doctor for review.

How is ultrasound used in practice?

Ultrasound is used to help diagnose diseases and monitor health-related conditions such as pregnancy. They can be used to gain a better understanding of specific biologic processes and also to monitor the health of internal organs. Ultrasounds are often ordered as part of the diagnostic procedure to check for cancers, gallstones, ulcers and other conditions that affect specific organs and more general body functions. They provide important information beyond what can be gained from a regular physical exam and along with other forms of imaging, have significantly reduced the need for exploratory surgery. Perhaps their most recognizable use is during pregnancy, when they can be used to monitor the growing fetus and predict the baby's gender.