Ultrasound Tests & F.A.Q’s
by Vlad Nucinovisch
Prestige Medical Center offers patients of wide range of diagnostic and imaging procedures to help diagnose medical conditions and guide through treatment. The professional and compassionate approach to care has made Prestige Medical Center a favorite among patients seeking ultrasound and other diagnostic testing services.
F.A.Q.
What is ultrasound?
Ultrasound, sometimes called ultrasonic testing, is a noninvasive diagnostic test that uses special sound waves to produce images of the inside of your body so diseases and medical conditions can be diagnosed, evaluated and managed. These sound waves are completely painless. When they penetrate your body, they “bounce off” organs and other internal structures, and those bounces are used to project detailed images of those structures as well as providing images of biological processes.
How is ultrasound used?
Ultrasound is used in many areas of medicine to help your doctor diagnose conditions and help evaluate ongoing medical treatments. Although the most familiar use of ultrasound is in obstetrics and gynecology, where it can be used to monitor a developing fetus and identify gender, the technique is widely used in other areas as well.
How is the procedure performed?
Ultrasound is performed in a darkened room while you're lying down, usually on your back or your side. A special conductive gel is applied to the skin above the area to be visualized. The gel helps the special hand piece glide over the skin more easily, and it also helps the sound waves penetrate. During the procedure, the hand piece will be guided across your skin, At certain locations, the hand piece may be pressed into your skin to obtain clearer images. You may also be asked to hold your breath or raise your arms to enable the waves to reach specific areas so images can be obtained. Images are transmitted to a computer screen and saved on a hard drive or disk so they can be used for future evaluations. Some gynecologic procedure use a wand placed inside your vagina to obtain clear images of your ovaries, especially if a cyst or tumor is suspected.
Does ultrasound use radiation?
No, ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images, and does not use any form of radiation.
