ULTRASOUND

** ULTRASOUND U/S

Ultrasound = uses high frequency sound waves to produce images of the body, sonography does not use radiation and can be done to any soft tissue in the body.

Procedures performed in ultrasound

·      Abdominal

·      Aortic aneurysm

·      Breast

·      Carotid

·      Dopple vein (U/S of the vein where a swishing sound is heard in normal veins and absent when there is an occlusion of the vein)

·      Echocardiogram

·      Gallbladder

·      Pelvic/obstetrical

·      Renal/KUB

·      Scrotal

·      Thyroid

·      Ultrasound guided amniocentesis

·      Ultrasound guided biopsy

NO CONTRAST MEDIUMS ARE REQUIRED FOR U/S – MAY NOT BE DONE IF A PATIENT HAS BEEN GIVEN A CONTRAST MEDIUM FOR RADIOLOGY SUCH AS A “BA SWALLOW” WITHIN THE LAST FEW DAYS BECAUSE IT CAN INTERFERE WITH THE ULTRASOUND IMAGES. WHEN BOTH PROCEDURES ARE ORDERED IT IS PREFERABLE TO BOOK U/S BEFORE RADIOLOGY THAT REQUIRES A CONTRAST MEDIUM.

·      The only ultrasounds that require consent are

-       U/S guided amniocentesis

-       U/S guided biopsy

PATIENT PREP FOR U/S

Abdominal; Abdo scan

A)          NPO 12 hours prior to exam = if exam is @ 1000 nothing after 2200 the night before

B)          Have light supper

C)          Refrain from eating gas-producing foods ex: beans, carbonated drinks, no smoking or gum prior

Gallbladder Ultrasound

A)                    Fat free diet for 1 day prior, nothing to eat or drink after midnight the day before

KUB/renal Ultrasound

A)                    Drink two large glasses of water prior to exam

·      For the following pelvic ultrasounds the patient must have a full bladder and will require fluid prep

-       Obstetric Scan

-       I.U.C.D localization

-       Pelvic Mass

Pelvic/Obstetrical Ultrasounds

-       When fluid prep is required patient must start drinking 32-40 ounces of fluid (water, tea, coffee, juice (no sugar). Do NOT go to the bathroom until unit films are taken. Need FULL bladder.

** ALL ULTRASOUNDS REQUIRE BOOKING TIMES