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What Is An Ultrasound?
Ultrasound (or "sonography") is a procedure that uses high-frequency
sound waves to show what is inside your body.
How Does Ultrasound
Work?
Because the body contains over 90% water, sound waves can be used
in some parts of the body just as sonar is used in the ocean. Each
time the sound hits a tissue interface, like a blood vessel, an
echo is sent back. Sophisticated, high-speed computers can use
these echoes to create a picture of your internal organs. This
results in a very detailed examination that aids the physician
in their diagnosis.
An ultrasound examination is fast, with very little discomfort,
and no radiation or x-rays are involved.
Image North is the first institution in Northern Michigan to offer
4D (real-time 3D) ultrasound. This offers exceptional visualization
of the fetus in Obstetrical Ultrasound.
   
What You Can Expect During Your Ultrasound Exam?
You will be asked to lie down on a padded table and a gel will be
spread on your skin above the area that will be examined. The technologist
will move a device called a "transducer" slowly over
the skin and an image will appear on a video screen. Pictures of
this image will be made for permanent reference. You may be asked
to hold your breath or assume different positions on the table.
It is important that you remain as still as possible.
What Would
An Ultrasound Test Be Used For?
Ultrasound is an excellent tool in several diagnostic situations,
including: examining the fetus during pregnancy, visualizing gynecological
functions in non-pregnant women, revealing information about tumors
and cysts, evaluating the gallbladder and related organs, and for
noninvasive evaluation of vascular disease. Ultrasound is also used as guidance for various biopsies and endovenous laser ablation treatment for varicose veins.
How Do I Prepare For The
Test?
There are no general set instructions for ultrasound examinations.
When you make your appointment, you should provide pertinent medical
history or diagnosis. Your Image North care provider will give
you instructions on how to prepare for your specific exam. It is
important to follow these instructions to ensure the most accurate
diagnostic results.
Also, please advise the staff if you have had previous ultrasound
exams so that the physician can use them for comparison.
How Long
Will The Exam Take?
The length of the exam varies with the type of ultrasound exam
you are having. Please check with us for the estimated time required
in your case.
Common Uses Of Ultrasound
- Ultrasound is an excellent tool in several
diagnostic situations, including:
- Examining the fetus during pregnancy
- Visualizing abnormalities of
the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus.
- Revealing information about
the shape and texture of tumors and cysts
- Suspicious lumps found
during a mammography study
- Evaluating the gallbladder and related
structures. Some gallstones and kidney stones may be seen only
with ultrasound
- Ultrasound is best for evaluating thyroid anatomy
- Noninvasive evaluation
of vascular disease
- Examination of the heart (echocardiography)
- Visualizing the flow
of blood through the body (color-Doppler)
- As guidance for various biopsies (thytoid, breast, etc.)
- As guidance for endovenous laser ablations for varicose veins
- Provides new ways to image
the musculoskeletal system and the prostate gland
Safety Of Ultrasound
An ultrasound test uses no radiation or x-rays,
and is completely noninvasive.
Patient Comfort
Having an ultrasound examination is fast, with very little
discomfort. Depending on the exam that was ordered, the patient
may experience some discomfort due to the fullness of the bladder.
For some pelvic examinations, it is necessary to insert a special
type of transducer into the vagina. It is smaller than the
instrument used in a routine pap smear exam.
After The Test
The patient can resume normal activities.
Ultrasound In Conjunction
With Other Tests
An ultrasound study may be used in conjunction with other diagnostic
tests. For example, an ultrasound carotid Doppler study may be
used along with a CT or an MRI. A breast ultrasound may be done
after a mammography exam.
Getting Your Results
Image North has radiologists on site to promptly provide analysis
and reporting. In most cases, the results of the test
will be available to the referring doctor before the patient
leaves the facility. The radiologist at Image North may discuss
the results with the patient, or privately and securely send
the results to the referring physician.
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