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Overview
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Ultrasound is a simple, safe, painless diagnostic procedure that bounces high-frequency sound waves off parts of the body and captures the returning echoes as images. This modality is commonly used to capture moving images of pelvic and abdominal function, breast abnormality, the male and female reproductive system, kidneys, thyroid, and the developing fetus. Using the Doppler technique, ultrasound is an effective method of capturing images of large blood vessels, vascular structures and the heart using echocardiography.
Oregon Imaging Centers ultrasound department is accredited by the American College of Radiology and only employs sonographers who are board trained and certified. You can review information specific to your scan by selecting from the 'study type' menu in the left column.
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(5) Philips IU22 3D/4D Ultrasound Scanner
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A quality ultrasound examination is dependent on pre-examination preparation. Please review the preparation guidelines carefully.
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.
- Do not eat or drink eight hours prior to your examination. Diabetics may drink clear juice.
- You will be asked to change into a gown prior to your ultrasound study.
- Advise us immediately if you have had a barium enema or upper GI test within two days of your ultrasound study.
For your safety, please notify our scheduling department and technologists if you are a diabetic. If so, please bring clear juice with you.
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During your visit, a sonographer will show you to the changing area and can assist you, if necessary. Many of our changing rooms offer secure lockers, but we encourage patients to leave valuables at home. Once changed, you will be guided to your ultrasound examination room.
The sonographer is specially trained and certified by the American Registry for Diagnostic Sonography to perform and take care of you during your ultrasound scan. The technologist is trained to capture images of your anatomy, but is not able to evaluate your anatomy or provide you with a diagnosis.
During an abdominal ultrasound, you will lie on your back on the examination table. The sonographer will spread a warm gel on your skin. Images are acquired using a transducer, which is a hand-held device that looks similar to a microphone. The transducer sends and receives ultrasound signals.
The sonographer will firmly press the transducer against the skin and will move it to capture images of the anatomy. Allow the sonographer to concentrate to ensure the appropriate images are captured. An abdominal ultrasound is usually completed in 20 to 30 minutes. You may be asked to wait for a radiologist to review your images.
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- A sub-specialized radiologist will interpret your images and prepare a diagnostic report for your physician.
- Results are usually made available to your physician in two or three days. If outside comparison studies are required, it may take longer for your results to be made available.
- Your physician will determine how the radiologists' report can be used to develop a treatment plan and speak with you about your results.
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Abdominal ultrasound may be used to examine your kidneys, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen and abdominal aorta. Ultrasound may also be used in guiding procedures such as needle biopsies. Doppler ultrasound is used to examine and evaluate blood flow, narrowing of vessels and tumors or congenital malformation.
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