Services
ULTRASOUND
Phone: (254) 288-8321
Ultrasound Supervisor: (254) 466-0852
Fax: (254) 286-7002
Hours of Operation: 24 hour operation
Scheduling: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Appointments: Appointments available 7 days/week. All appointments are scheduled, there are no walk-in appointments.
What is Ultrasound?
Ultrasound/Sonography is one imaging modality in the Radiology field. Unlike Diagnostic Radiology, Ultrasound does not use radiation to create images. Ultrasound is a completely different way of viewing structures within the body. Very high frequency sound is used to create the images. Much like radar, or sonar (from which it is derived), sound waves are sent into the body and reflections are then measured, localized and converted into images. Unlike x-rays however, some things, like air and bones, prevent sound wave transmission. Sound waves like fluid best for traveling and it is for that reason that pelvic exams require a full bladder.
General Guidelines
Children may not come into the exam room. If you bring a child, you must have another designated adult present to supervise the child in the waiting area.
Complete concentration on the part of your sonographer is the key to a successful exam. Frequent questions, although well meaning, are very distracting, At the conclusion of your study a radiologist will carefully review the images and send a report to your doctor. Please direct questions concerning your diagnosis to your referring physician.
Due to the heavy workload of the ultrasound department, it may be necessary to reschedule your appointment if you are more than 15 minutes late.
Types of Ultrasound Exams:
Bladder and Kidneys
Drink 24 oz. of water one hour prior to your exam. Do not empty your bladder until your exam is complete. This exam lasts approximately 45 minutes.
Abdominal and Gall Bladder
For an optimal study, do not have anything to eat after 10 P.M. the night before your exam. This exam lasts approximately 45 minutes.
Thyroid Ultrasound
This is a study of the thyroid gland which is located at the base of the neck. The exam lasts approximately 45 minutes. There is no patient preparation for this exam.
Breast Ultrasound
This is a study of the tissue composition of the breast. The exam will last approximately 30 minutes. There is no patient preparation for this exam.
Testicular Ultrasound
This is a study of the tissue composition of the testes. The exam will last approximately 45 minutes. There is no patient preparation for this exam.
Carotid Ultrasound
We currently do not provide this exam. You will be referred to a civilian facility with a certified vascular ultrasound technologist.
Pelvic/OB US
This exam requires a full bladder. It is important that you begin drinking fluids 2-3 hours before the scheduled time. If your bladder is so full that you absolutely must void, or urinate, before your exam, please only do so partially, just enough to relieve the pressure. Without a full bladder, the uterus may not be visualized completely particularly if there are fibroids present.
The OB Ultrasound requires the complete concentration of the technicians to accurately complete the study in a timely manner. Due to time constraints of the procedures, limitations are placed on the type of services that the technicians can provide. The following information listed about the OB ultrasound services is to help the patient understand what to expect during the procedure.
- Patients are not allowed to bring children (under age 10) with them into the clinic.
- The technicians need to concentrate on the screen during the procedure. Therefore, patients will not be allowed to view the screen while the ultrasound is being performed.
- Results of the ultrasound exam will be interpreted by a radiologist and the results will be forwarded to the requesting physician. The technician cannot make interpretation of the exam.
After the "transabdominal" or "TA" scan (scanning through the full bladder), it may be necessary to perform an "endovaginal" or "transvaginal" scan. This is done with the bladder empty and you will be instructed to go to the bathroom right after the transabdominal exam. Endovaginal (EV) scanning gives a much clearer look at the fine structures of the ovaries and uterus, but has a limited range, which is why the TA scan is done first. EV scans are particularly helpful for looking at very early pregnancies, ectopic pregnancies, or at the endometrial lining of the uterus in postmenopausal women. If all structures are well visualized and appear normal, an EV scan may not be necessary, except in those cases just mentioned. If one or both of the ovaries cannot be seen well because of surrounding bowel gas on the TA scan, an EV will be done to get a better look.
Please feel free to contact our staff at (254) 288-8322 if you have any questions or concerns.
page last modified on: 5/7/2013