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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 Ultrasound Scanner
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A quality ultrasound examination is dependent on pre-examination preparation. Please review the preparation guidelines carefully.
- Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.
- Please wear comfortable, two-piece, loose-fitting clothing.
- On the day of your exam, please eat a light lunch.
- You will be asked to change into a gown prior to your ultrasound study.
For your safety, please discontinue use of any type of anti-coagulant or blood-thinning agent two to three days prior to your study (aspirin, Coumadin, ibuprofen).
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During your visit, a sonographer will show you to the changing area and can assist you, if necessary. Most of our changing rooms offer secure lockers, but we encourage patients to leave valuables at home. Once changed, our patient advocate will guide you to the 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 sonographer is trained to capture images of your anatomy, but is not able to evaluate your anatomy or provide you with a diagnosis.
During your study, you will lie on your back or side on the examination table. The sonographer will spread a warm gel on the area of concern. 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 specific area of interest. A radiologist, who is a physician, will sterilize and numb the area.
Using a needle and syringe, the radiologist will extract fluid from the area of concern. An ultrasound-guided cyst aspiration usually takes 45 minutes to one hour. 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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