Cassie Pharris, Ultrasound Lead

Ultrasound imaging is a painless medical exam that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time images of the body's organs and blood flow through vessels. Ultrasound exams do not use X-rays or radiation.

Uses
Ultrasound technology is affordable, safe, portable and non-invasive. While this type of technology does have limitations, it is useful for several types of diagnosis and in assisting some image guided, minimally invasive procedures. Some uses of ultrasound imaging include:

• Arterial NIVA (noninvasive vascular assessment): This exam evaluates the blood flow in one's extremities.
• Abdominal ultrasound: This exam can include but is not limited to the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, aorta and spleen.
• Abdominal dopplers: This exam can include but is not limited to blood flow integration of the kidneys or liver.
• Carotid NIVA (noninvasive vascular assessment): This exam is used to interrogate the carotid arteries in the neck.
• Hernia: This exam evaluates the area in question: groin, abdominal wall and umbilical area.
• Pediatric hips: This exam is performed on an infant at approximately six weeks to rule out hip dysplasia.
• Renal ultrasound: Includes images of kidneys, aorta, IVC and bladder.
• Obstetric (OB) ultrasound: This exam is done periodically throughout a pregnancy to evaluate the fetus.
• Pelvic or endovaginal ultrasound: Includes images of uterus and ovaries.
• Pylorus: This exam is done on a infant starting at approximately six weeks of age.
• Scrotal or testicular ultrasound: This exam evaluates the anatomy within the scrotum.
• Thyroid or superficial: Evaluation of the thyroid or palpable area felt during a physical exam.
• Venous NIVA (noninvasive vascular assessment): This exam is used to interrogate veins in the arms or legs to rule out a blood clot or deep vein thrombosis.

Procedure
Depending on the type of procedure, the exam time varies from 30 minutes to one hour. After the procedure, the patient will be taken back to the nursing area for monitoring and discharge. Please plan on spending a total of two to four hours at our facility the day of the procedure. Please call the Radiology Care Unit with any questions at 303-738-2734.

Once a patient is ready for their ultrasound, a clear, water-based gel is applied to the skin to help the transducer make contact with the body, eliminating air bubbles. The transducer moves along the surface of the skin as the images are shown on a screen. Depending on the type of ultrasound being performed, exam time may be 30 minutes to one hour.

Exam Preparations

• Abdomen, gallbladder, aorta: Nothing to eat after midnight or at least eight hours prior to the exam.
• Kidney or bladder: Please drink 32 ounces of water one hour prior to the exam, avoid using the restroom 30 minutes prior to exam, if possible.
• Carotid, hernia, pediatric hips, obstetrics, endovaginal, scrotal, thyroid, venous and arterial NIVA: No preparation.
• Pyloric stenosis: Do not feed the baby formula/milk for 45 minutes prior to the exam. Bring a drink for the baby during the exam.