Ultrasound

Our highly skilled Sonography Technologists work under close supervision of the Radiologists to provide images acquired with safe high frequency sound waves, instead of radiation. Ultrasounds are commonly used for diagnosis and for guidance during procedures such as biopsies.

An ultrasound, also known as a sonogram, translates sound waves from your body into an image. Relying on sound, rather than radiation, an ultrasound is a very safe way to view a patient, internally. It is frequently used to analyze images of unborn children, organs, and even veins and arteries.

The individual performing the ultrasound study is known as a sonographer. This technologist is highly skilled and educated, and works under close supervision of the radiologists. Most ultrasounds are done using a transducer on the surface of the skin after an acoustic (sound) gel is applied. Sometimes, however, doctors and technologists can get a better diagnostic image by inserting a special transducer into one of the body’s natural openings. The transducer sends a signal to an on-board computer that processes the data and produces the ultrasound image. A diagnosis is made from this image.

What Should I Expect During an Ultrasound?

During the exam, the patient lies on a table as a sonographer applies an acoustic (sound) gel to an area of the skin. He or she will then hold a small, hand-held, microphone-like device, called a transducer, over that area. The transducer sends sound waves into the body and collects the reflected echoes they make. Those echoes translate into an image, which can be used as a diagnostic tool.