Ultrasound (Sonography)

Ultrasound is an imaging technology that uses high-frequency sound waves. The waves bounce off the internal organs and create a series of echoes, which are then translated by a computer into images. It is a fast and painless exam that, unlike x-ray based tests, exposes the body to no radiation. This is why it is used so often with prenatal imaging.

A variation of ultrasound uses a modified technique—called Doppler—to capture moving images of the heart and blood vessels.

Preparation Instructions

• Neck/Thyroid Ultrasound
  Wear loose fitting clothes, especially a shirt or blouse with a loose-fitting collar. Please refrain from wearing necklaces and other such jewelry, as they may limit access to your neck.
• Gallbladder Or Abdomen Ultrasound
  Do not eat or drink anything for 6 hours before the study. 
• Pelvis Ultrasound
  No special preparation is required.
• Pregnancy Ultrasound
  No special preparation is required.

What to Expect

During an examination, you will either lie on a table or relax in a chair while the technologist guides a hand-held transducer over your body. You may experience mild discomfort in the area of the body being imaged, but it is not painful. A typical ultrasound examination takes between 30 minutes and one hour.