 | Ultrasound What is ultrasound?
How is ultrasound used in medicine?
Is ultrasound safe?
What is sonohysterography?
How is sonohysterography performed?
How do I prepare for my ultrasound studies?
Where does WRA perform diagnostic ultrasound?
Why should I come to WRA for a sonogram?
 What is ultrasound?
Ultrasound imaging, sometimes called sonography, uses sound waves and their reflected echoes to study and characterize internal structures and tissues. In most ultrasound examinations, a hand held device called a transducer is placed on the patient's skin. The transducer is used both as a transmitter and receiver with the reflected echoes being displayed as a two-dimensional image on a video screen.
How is ultrasound used in medicine?
As a diagnostic tool, ultrasound has a wide variety of uses in medicine as it emits no x-rays. Ultrasound images can be made of the growing fetus without exposing it and the mother to radiation. In addition, ultrasound shows motion. This is particularly useful when examining a moving fetus, or when studying the flow of blood through veins and arteries. Ultrasound is also the imaging modality of choice for the diagnosis of gallstones and prostate abnormalities. It is also an excellent tool for examining the heart, abdomen and kidneys because it is non-invasive.
Board-certified radiologists also use ultrasound to reveal the shape, texture, and composition of tumors and cysts which cannot be determined from conventional x-ray studies.
Is ultrasound safe?
Since ultrasound emits no x-rays, it is very safe. There are no known risks or side effects associated with diagnostic ultrasound.
What is sonohysterography?
Sonohysterography is a fairly rapid and highly accurate method of evaluating the uterine cavity and endometrium. Your doctor may have prescribed this exam if you are experiencing dysfunctional bleeding, suspected polyps or submucosal fibroids or if you are on the drug, Tamoxifen.
How is sonohysterography performed?
The exam is performed in the first half of the cycle except for post-menopausal women and those on oral contraceptives. The exam is not performed on patients with a possible pregnancy or recent infection (last six months). During the exam the cervix is visualized with a speculum in place and a flexible non-traumatic balloon catheter is inserted after cleansing of the cervix with betadine. After inflating the balloon to hold the catheter in place, the speculum is removed and a transvaginal probe is inserted. Under ultrasound observation, a small amount of warmed sterile saline is instilled into the uterine cavity and the examination is documented on film. Color flow and duplex doppler exams may be added as indicated. The exam takes approximately 30 minutes.
How do I prepare for my ultrasound studies?
PELVIC, OBSTETRIC or RENAL (KIDNEY) SONOGRAM - Males and non-pregnant females: Patients should not empty their bladder one hour before their scheduled exam time.
- Females less than 16 weeks pregnant: See instructions above.
- Females more than 16 weeks pregnant: No preparation necessary.
- NT: Patients should not empty their bladder one hour before their scheduled exam time. This exam must be performed between 11 weeks 3 days and 13 weeks 6 days of the pregnancy.
ABDOMINAL SONOGRAM - Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum after midnight the night before your morning appointment, or for at least 6 hours prior to your afternoon appointment.
TRANSRECTAL PROSTATE SONOGRAM - Fleet enema 1 hour before your appointment.
RETROPERITONEAL SONOGRAM - No preparation necessary.
TESTICULAR SONOGRAM - No preparation necessary.
THYROID SONOGRAM - No preparation necessary.
SONOHYSTEROGRAM - Please do not empty your bladder one hour before your scheduled exam time. For premenopausal women, this exam must be performed between day 6 and 11 of the patient’s menstrual cycle.
- Thirty to sixty minutes prior to exam, take 800 mg of Ibuprofen (if allowed by your doctor) with food.
- This exam cannot be performed during the patient’s menstrual period, or other vaginal bleeding, if there is a possibility of the patient being pregnant, patient is pregnant, or patient has a pelvic infection.
HYSTEROSALPINGOGRAM (HSG) - For premenopausal women, this exam must be performed between day 6 and 11 of the patient’s menstrual cycle. Thirty to sixty minutes prior to exam, take 800 mg of Ibuprofen (if allowed by your doctor) with food.
- This exam cannot be performed during the patient’s menstrual period, or other vaginal bleeding, if there is a possibility of the patient being pregnant, patient is pregnant, or patient has a pelvic infection.
Where does WRA perform diagnostic ultrasound?
Sonograms are performed in the Sterling, Fairfax, Bethesda, Chevy Chase/Friendship Heights and 2141 K Street, NW offices.
Why should I come to WRA for a sonogram?
The physicians of Washington Radiology Associates, P.C. have a long tradition in ultrasound imaging. Physicians in our practice are among the nation’s pioneers in the use and development of diagnostic ultrasound. In 1996, WRA was the first practice in the United States to receive accreditation for general and obstetrical ultrasound from the American College of Radiology.
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