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An ultrasound is a simple, diagnostic tool that doctors use to take a look inside your body. Ultrasounds use high-frequency sound waves to show doctors your internal organs and structures in real-time, helping them detect conditions like blood clots, gallstones, cancer, and more. Ultrasounds are a form of diagnostic imaging, just like x-rays or CT scans.

From physical therapists to obstetricians/gynecologists (OB/GYN), all kinds of healthcare providers use ultrasound imaging to diagnose and treat their patients. You may sometimes hear doctors call ultrasounds “sonography” or “sonograms.” These terms are interchangeable with “ultrasound” and mean the same thing.

Ultrasounds are easy, painless procedures that don’t break the skin or require any injections. Your sonographer will start the ultrasound by applying a gel to the area of your body that they plan to examine. This gel helps produce better internal images of the body. Once it is applied, your sonographer will use a device called a transducer, pressing it against the skin and moving it around to capture the necessary images.

After your sonographer completes the procedure, a radiologist will examine the images and send a report back to your primary care doctor. Your doctor will share your results with you and discuss next steps. If your doctor detects any abnormalities, they may order a biopsy to investigate further.

Usually, you won’t need to prepare anything before your ultrasound appointment. In some cases, though, your sonographer may recommend you take some steps to help improve your procedure. If you're receiving a gallbladder ultrasound, for example, you may need to fast an hour prior to the procedure. For pelvic ultrasounds, your sonographer may ask that you come with a full bladder. It’s recommended you come in comfortable clothing and leave jewelry at home.

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Diagnostic imaging describes technology that doctors use to see inside your body to diagnose and treat medical conditions. Doctors may order an x-ray, for example, to treat a broken arm, or a mammogram to scan for breast cancer. Here are some of the most common diagnostic medical imaging tools that doctors use to care for their patients.

- Doppler ultrasound: A special type of ultrasound that looks at major blood vessels to evaluate blockages in blood vessels, plaque build-up, or detect any congenital defects.

- X-rays: This process uses ionizing radiation that travels by electromagnetic waves to produce an image.

- Mammograms: These x-ray pictures for the breast detect early signs of breast cancer.

- CT Scan: A mix of computer imaging and x-rays that create a more detailed picture of your tissues, bones, and organs.

- MRI: A machine that uses a computer along with radio waves and magnets to produce a detailed image without the use of ionizing radiation.

Health care marketplaces like Sesame make it easier than ever to speak to licensed doctors in who can recommend and schedule the diagnostic imaging procedure that is right for you.

While all ultrasounds use soundwaves to produce real-time images of organs and internal structures, different procedures are used in different cases. The type of ultrasound you receive is generally determined by the area of the body that needs to be examined. Common ultrasound procedures include:

- Abdominal ultrasound (Transabdominal ultrasound): Used to examine internal organs, including the bladder, kidneys, spleen, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

- Transvaginal ultrasound: Often used to check for causes of pelvic pain. Though it has a limited field of view, it can produce a more detailed image.

- Pelvic ultrasound: Used to examine internal organs including the ovaries, bladder, testicles, prostate gland, and uterus. This is the very common prenatal diagnostic used to get ultrasound images of gender and check the health of a fetus.

- Thyroid ultrasound: An ultrasound technologist can use this exam to check for over cysts, nodules, and overactive or underactive thyroid glands.

- Carotid and abdominal aorta ultrasound: Can look for blood flow blockages in the arteries of the neck that can cause a stroke.

A Doppler ultrasound test is a non-invasive form of medical imaging that uses high-frequency sound waves to measure the velocity and direction of blood flow through major arteries and other blood vessels. These tests may also be referred to as vascular ultrasound imaging. These sound waves are recorded by a small hand-held device called a transducer, which is operated by a sonographer. As blood cells ping sound waves back to the transducer, real-time images are recorded by a computer to be examined by a radiologist.

Doppler ultrasound tests are usually performed in a radiology clinic as an outpatient procedure, taking about 10-15 minutes to complete. Types of Doppler ultrasound imaging used by radiology clinics include:

Continuous wave Doppler scans: These scans send continuous waves of high-frequency sound waves through the body, allowing the transducer to record fast-moving blood cells moving through blood vessels in the body.

Duplex ultrasound: Duplex ultrasounds map a graph of arterial channels by measuring blood flow speed and direction through the blood vessels. These graphs can help doctors get a more complete picture of the veins in the body, and any blockage that may be occurring. To help measure the ankle-brachial index, patients may be asked to wear blood pressure cuffs during a duplex ultrasound. The ankle-brachial index is a key test in screening for peripheral artery disease (PAD), as it measures blood flow to the limbs.

Color Doppler ultrasound: A computer changes regular Doppler ultrasound sound waves into color images, showing a clear picture of blood flow through blood vessels in the body. Transcranial Doppler tests are specialized color Doppler tests that measure blood flow to the brain. During a transcranial Doppler ultrasound, the transducer is placed in the head and neck area. These tests are just as painless and non-invasive as other types of ultrasound imaging tests.

Doppler ultrasound exams use changing sound wave frequencies to measure blood flow through blood vessels in the body. This can be used to detect a number of vascular abnormalities, including:

• Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT (blood clots in deep veins)

• Heart disease

• Aneurysm (Swelling at a weak point in the vein)

• Carotid artery stenosis (narrowed arteries in the neck)

• Arterial occlusion (blockage in the artery)

• Venous insufficiency (poor vein function in the legs)

• Atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries)

In addition to these conditions, Doppler ultrasounds can help doctors determine the effectiveness of bypass grafts. Bypass grafts use a patient's own blood vessel (usually taken from the arm or leg) to redirect blood flow around a blockage in another vein. These "detours" may become narrowed or blocked themselves, which can be detected by a Doppler ultrasound exam.

Doppler ultrasounds play a key role in vascular health by detecting blockages or blood flow problems throughout the body. Ultrasounds use high-frequency sound waves instead of radiation, so there is no risk of exposure during an exam. Ultrasound imaging is safe and effective for patients of all ages and is often more affordable than X-rays or CT scans.

Doppler ultrasounds are used to test blood flow to the uterus. Healthy circulation to the uterus is a good sign for a healthy fetus.

Restricted blood flow (placental insufficiency) during pregnancy can lead to complications for the baby, including:

• Cerebral palsy
  
• Low birth weight
  
• Insufficient blood calcium
  
• Low blood sugar
  
• Stillbirth or death
  

In mothers, restricted blood flow to the uterus can cause an elevation in blood pressure or premature labor, among other conditions.

Low blood flow to the uterus can be caused by:

• Diabetes
  
• Substance abuse
  
• High blood pressure
  
• Blood clots
  
• Anemia
  
• Tobacco use/ smoking
  

Doppler ultrasound exams during pregnancy can help keep both the fetus and mother safe and healthy. Ultrasounds use high-frequency sound waves instead of ionizing radiation, ensuring that they are safe for both mother and fetus alike. Ultrasounds are quick and painless tests that play a key role in detecting medical conditions. Doppler ultrasounds offer an even more detailed picture of what is happening in the body by measuring blood flow through blood vessels to the uterus and placenta.

A Doppler ultrasound shows the flow of blood through the veins and arteries. Arterial Doppler ultrasounds may be used to detect a variety of ailments such as:

- Aneurysm: A gorged part of the heart muscle or the aorta (the body's main artery).

- Carotid artery stenosis: A narrowing of the arteries on either side of the neck.

- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): A serious condition in which a blood clot forms in a vein that is deep inside your body.

- Chronic venous insufficiency: Occurs when the venous wall and/or the valves in the leg veins don't work sufficiently, making it hard for the blood to return to the heart.

- Varicose veins: A venous insufficiency caused by weak or damaged vein walls or valves causing blood pressure to increase inside your veins.

- Atherosclerosis: A buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances (collectively known as plaque) in your arteries. This plaque can cause your arteries to narrow and block blood flow. The plaque can also burst, leading to a blood clot.

- Peripheral artery disease (also called peripheral arterial disease): A common problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs. This causes your limbs (usually the lower limbs) to not receive enough blood flow. One of the main symptoms of this is leg pain when walking (known as claudication).

- Heart valve defects and congenital heart disease.

It really depends on the condition and clinic. Most Doppler ultrasound tests take about 10-15 minutes to complete. Ultrasound scans display images in real-time, and test results may be available within an hour of the scan. During your scan, the sonographer or technologist can answer questions you may have about the procedure, but the ultrasound results must be reviewed by a radiologist before a diagnosis is made.

All this means that while you may get a pretty good sense of what you're looking at during your scan, you may have to wait for several hours or days before a medical doctor can formally report the ultrasound results to you.

An ultrasound exam uses high-frequency sound waves to measure the amount of blood flowing through your arteries and veins, specifically examining the arteries that supply blood to your limbs. Ultrasounds are non-invasive procedures that can be used to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions, such as blood clots, blockages, venous insufficiency, arterial occlusion (closing), abnormalities in arterial blood flow, blocked artificial bypass grafts, or damage to the arteries. "Bilateral" means that this procedure scans both sides of the body - whereas uni-lateral ultrasounds scan only one.

Depending on your condition, your doctor may recommend a standard or Doppler ultrasound. Doppler ultrasounds use changes in the frequencies of sound waves to measure the speed and direction of blood flow through blood vessels. Because ultrasounds can show images in real-time, Doppler ultrasounds have taken the place of X-ray angiography as the main method of measuring blood flow through arteries. Regular ultrasounds can show blood vessels and organs in the body, but cannot measure blood flow through arterial channels.

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A bilateral carotid artery ultrasound is a diagnostic exam that uses high-frequency sound waves to measure the amount of blood flowing through the carotid arteries.

The carotid arteries are two arterial structures that are located on either side of the neck. These critical blood vessels carry blood from the heart to the brain.

Ultrasounds are non-invasive procedures that can be used to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions, such as blood clots, blockages, abnormalities in arterial blood flow, or damage to the arteries. They may also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of a stent - a device that improves blood flow through the carotid arteries. "Bilateral" means that this procedure scans both sides of the body - whereas uni-lateral ultrasounds scan only one.

Depending on your condition, your doctor may recommend a standard or Doppler ultrasound. Doppler ultrasounds use changes in the frequencies of sound waves to measure the speed and direction of blood flow through blood vessels. Because ultrasounds can show images in real-time, Doppler ultrasounds have taken the place of X-ray angiography as the main method of measuring blood flow through arteries. Regular ultrasounds can show blood vessels and organs in the body, but cannot measure blood flow through arterial channels.

Transabdominal ultrasounds are diagnostic imaging tests used to examine the inside of the pelvis. This ultrasound imaging scans areas such as:

• Cervix
• Ovaries
• Fallopian tubes
• Uterus
• Vagina
• Bladder

Transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound machines use transducers that send out high-frequency sound waves into the body. Once these sound waves have bounced off soft tissue and organs in the body, they are converted into ultrasound images on a computer. After these images are recorded by the technologist (also known as a sonographer), a radiologist examines the results and diagnoses a condition.

Transabdominal ultrasound scans are safe tests that can detect several conditions and can help doctors diagnose the source of pelvic pain or vaginal bleeding. Some medical conditions that can be detected by a diagnostic ultrasound scan include:

• Ovarian cysts
• Fibroids
• Ovarian cancer
• Uterine cancer
• Trauma to the uterus (including scarring)
• Endometrial polyps
• Fertility problems
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Ectopic pregnancy

Ultrasounds are minimally invasive procedures that provide a wide range of health information to health care providers. Unlike X-Rays or CT scans, ultrasound scans can show images moving in real-time, giving doctors a firsthand look into the movement of organs and tissue in the body. To study blood moving through blood vessels, doctors may use specialized Doppler ultrasound sonography to examine blood flow through the abdominal organs by pinging sound waves off moving blood cells.

Ultrasounds are rarely used to diagnose cancer. While ultrasounds can detect a tumor, they cannot detail whether or not that tumor is cancerous. Depending on your scan results and symptoms, your doctor may request additional testing (like a biopsy), if necessary.

After drinking 24-30 oz of water, you will be asked to change out of your street clothes and into a hospital gown.

In the exam room, you will be asked to lie on your back on a padded table. Your doctor will use a hand-held device known as a transducer, which directs high-frequency sound waves into the tissue being studied. After the area is gelled (gel helps conduct the ultrasound waves), the transducer is placed against the skin for imaging. If you are undergoing a transvaginal ultrasound, the transducer will be gently inserted into the vagina. The device will be covered in gel and a plastic or latex sheathe. You may experience some mild discomfort as the transducer is inserted into the vagina, but this should pass after a few moments.

As the sound waves echo off the tissue of the reproductive system and abdomen, the transducer sends data to a computer that records the feedback and creates images. You may be asked to hold your breath for several seconds as images are being taken. Additionally, if the bladder is being examined as well, you may be asked to empty your bladder after images of the full bladder are taken.

This procedure usually takes about 30 minutes. Unless further testing is needed, most individuals are free to resume daily activities after their ultrasound.

After your appointment, a radiologist will review the images produced by the exam. They will then present their findings to your health care provider, who will pass on the results to you. This may take 1-3 business days, depending on the clinic.

Yes. Ultrasounds are non-invasive exams that provide real-time imaging of blood flow and organs in the body. Unlike X-rays, ultrasound does not use ionizing radiation. Instead, ultrasounds use sound waves (too high-pitched for humans to hear) to give doctors real-time images of organs and tissues. The transducer used by the sonographer might be a little cold, but that's it.

Ultrasounds are generally less expensive than other forms of imaging. They do not require injections, nor is sedation needed for the procedure. These are quick and painless exams that usually take under an hour. After your appointment, you will likely be cleared to leave and go about your daily activities.

If you have any questions about different types of imaging, talk to your health care provider about the method that is right for you.

Obstetric ultrasounds are diagnostic imaging scans used to produce images of a developing fetus in a pregnant woman, as well as the uterus and ovaries.

Ultrasounds are minimally invasive procedures that provide a wide range of health information to health care providers. Unlike X-Rays or CT scans, ultrasound scans can show images moving in real-time, giving doctors a firsthand look into the movement of organs and tissue in the body. To study blood moving through blood vessels, doctors may use specialized Doppler ultrasound sonography to examine blood flow through the internal organs by pinging sound waves off moving blood cells.

Obstetricians use the images produced by an ultrasound to monitor the health of an unborn baby, as well as the health of the mother.

Ultrasounds are a non-invasive imaging technique that allows doctors to get a vantage point of the health of an unborn baby and the mother without surgery or exposure to ionizing radiation (present in X-ray scans).

Obstetric ultrasounds performed during the 1st trimester of pregnancy can help doctors:

• Confirm a pregnancy
  
• Evaluate the baby’s growth and size
  
• Determine the baby’s gestational age (this indicates how long the fetus has been developing, which may help establish a due date)
  
• Detect an ectopic pregnancy (a developing pregnancy located outside of the uterus)
  
• Detect and confirm a multiple pregnancy
  
• Evaluate the health of the placenta (the organ that provides a developing fetus oxygen and nutrients as it develops)
  
• Evaluate the amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds a fetus in the womb)
  
• Identify birth defects
  
• Examine and diagnose complications (such as irregular bleeding)
  
• Examine the cervix, uterus, ovaries, and bladder for complications or abnormalities
  

Ultrasounds are performed for medical reasons. Even though they do produce images of an unborn baby, these appointments are not intended to provide parents with keepsake pictures of their developing baby. If you would like an ultrasound for reassurance about the development of your baby, you may ask your health care provider or obstetrician about scheduling an ultrasound.

Ultrasounds are a non-invasive imaging technique that allows doctors to get a vantage point of the health of an unborn baby and the mother without surgery or exposure to ionizing radiation (present in X-ray scans).

Obstetric ultrasounds performed during the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy can help doctors:

• Determine the anatomy of the baby
  
• Evaluate the baby’s growth and size
  
• Evaluate the placenta and amniotic fluid - the fluid that surrounds the baby in the uterus - for complications and nutrient composition
  
• Identify birth defects
  
• Examine and diagnose complications (such as irregular bleeding)
  
• Examine the cervix, uterus, ovaries, and bladder for complications or abnormalities
  

Ultrasounds are performed for medical reasons. Even though they do produce images of an unborn baby, these appointments are not intended to provide parents with keepsake pictures of their developing baby. If you would like an ultrasound for reassurance about the development of your baby, you may ask your health care provider or obstetrician about scheduling an ultrasound.

A breast ultrasound is a diagnostic test that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of soft tissue. An ultrasound is a simple, diagnostic tool that doctors use to take a look inside your body. Ultrasounds use high-frequency sound waves to show doctors your internal organs and structures in real-time, helping them detect conditions like blood clots, gallstones, cancer, and more. Ultrasounds are a form of diagnostic imaging, just like x-rays or CT scans.

Breast ultrasounds use these high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the tissue inside the breast. This can help detect abnormalities in the breast, such as a cyst or tumor.

Breast ultrasounds are usually performed as a follow-up test to a mammogram- an X-ray picture of the breast. These tests are especially common for women under the age of 25 or women who are pregnant. Because X-ray images require the use of radiation, they may be unsafe for these individuals. Ultrasounds can provide a 3D picture of breast tissue, without the use of ionizing radiation.

Breast ultrasounds are commonly ordered as follow-up tests if a mammogram detects an abnormality in breast tissue.

Common abnormalities in the breast may include:

• Unidentified lumps in breast tissue
• Pain or tenderness in the breast
• Spontaneous discharge from the breast/ nipple

Ultrasounds can help doctors determine if a lump in the breast is a fluid-filled cyst, or solid tissue - a potential indicator of a tumor. Conditions that may cause benign lumps in the breast include:

- Breast fat necrosis: Damaged or dead lumps of tissue in the breast that occur as a result of radiation, surgery, or injury. Breast fat necrosis is harmless and causes few symptoms besides lumps in the breast.

- Fibrocystic breasts: Lumpy or ropelike tissue in the breast usually caused by hormonal changes during a menstrual period. The discomfort caused by fibrocystic breasts will usually go away on its own without treatment.

- Fibroadenoma: Benign tumors in the breast, common in women between the ages of 20 and 30. These tumors are harmless, and generally cause no pain or other symptoms. Benign tumors in the breast will usually begin to go away during menopause.

- Intraductal papilloma: A benign tumor that develops in the milk duct of the breast. These growths may cause lumps in the breast or abnormal discharge from the nipple. In some cases, these tumors can’t even be felt.

Breasts are made of dense tissue. The denser this tissue, the more difficult it is to get a clear picture via mammography. If your doctor is unable to definitely diagnose an abnormal growth in breast tissue from images provided by a mammogram, they may request a breast ultrasound to determine whether or not the growth is hollow or solid. This can help provide a diagnosis for breast cancer.

A breast ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure done with painless sound waves. The test will usually be done in the radiology department of a hospital, doctor's office, or a peripheral vascular laboratory.

You'll need to remove any clothing, jewelry, or any other objects in the chest area. Additionally, you will be asked to disrobe from the waist up so that the ultrasound device can be placed directly onto your skin. In most cases, you will be asked to lie on your back as the testing occurs.

Your doctor will use a hand-held device known as a transducer, which directs high-frequency sound waves into the tissue being studied. After the area is gelled (gel helps conduct the ultrasound waves), the transducer is placed against the skin of your breast for imaging.

As the sound waves echo off the breast tissue, the transducer sends data to a computer that records the feedback and creates images.

This procedure usually takes about 30 minutes. Unless further testing is needed, most individuals are free to resume daily activities after their ultrasound.

After your appointment, a radiologist will review the images produced by the exam. They will then present their findings to your health care provider, who will pass on the results to you. This may take 1-3 business days, depending on the clinic.

Renal ultrasounds allow doctors to examine the inside of your body without surgery.

An ultrasound of the kidneys can help doctors detect medical conditions such as:

• Cysts
• Renal abscesses (pockets of pus in the kidney)
• Tumors
• Infections
• Inflammation
• Kidney stones
• Blockage

These conditions can cause severe symptoms - even death - if not treated promptly. If you are exhibiting signs of kidney troubles, your doctor may order a renal ultrasound as a diagnostic test for your condition.

In other instances, a renal ultrasound may be used as a method of tracking recovery after a kidney transplant.

After drinking 24-30 oz of water, you will be asked to change out of your street clothes and into a hospital gown.

In the exam room, you will be asked to lie down on your stomach on a padded table. Your doctor will use a hand-held device known as a transducer, which directs high-frequency sound waves into the tissue being studied. After the area is gelled (gel helps conduct the ultrasound waves), the transducer is placed against the skin of your lower back for imaging.

As the sound waves echo off the kidney tissue, the transducer sends data to a computer that records the feedback and creates images. You may be asked to hold your breath for several seconds as images are being taken. Additionally, if the bladder is being examined as well, you may be asked to empty your bladder after images of the full bladder are taken.

This procedure usually takes about 30 minutes. Unless further testing is needed, most individuals are free to resume daily activities after their ultrasound.

After your appointment, a radiologist will review the images produced by the exam. They will then present their findings to your health care provider, who will pass on the results to you. This may take 1-3 business days, depending on the clinic.

Pelvic ultrasound sonography is a medical imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the pelvic organs and lower abdomen. Ultrasound images help doctors see what's going on inside the body without having to use surgery. During a pelvic ultrasound, sound waves bounce off organs, tissue, and blood vessels and into a transducer that reads and interprets the waves. This procedure creates real-time images that can help doctors address conditions related to pelvic pain, reproductive organ health, and the wellness of a fertilized egg in utero (a baby growing during pregnancy).

There is more than just one type of pelvic ultrasound. The type of pelvic ultrasound your doctor orders depends on your sex, health history, and symptoms. Additional types of pelvic ultrasounds include:

Transvaginal/ endovaginal ultrasound (sonohysterography)

During a transvaginal ultrasound, the sonographer will insert a small transducer into the vagina while you lie on an exam table with your feet in stirrups. These scans are often done in an obstetrics-gynecology clinic (OB/GYN) by a certified sonographer. The transducer will emit sound waves which will create real-time images of the reproductive and pelvic organs, including the fallopian tubes, endometrium, ovaries, cervix, and vagina. Transvaginal ultrasounds can be used to address conditions such as:

• Infertility
  
• Ovarian cysts
  
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
  
• Uterine fibroids
  
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (inflammation in the reproductive organs)
  
• Intrauterine device (IUD) displacement
  

Pregnant women may receive a transvaginal ultrasound to check the health of the uterus. This can be used to detect abnormalities in the uterus or diagnose conditions such as ectopic pregnancy.

Transrectal ultrasound

Transrectal ultrasounds are similar to transvaginal ultrasounds, but the transducer is inserted into the rectum instead of the vagina. Transrectal ultrasounds are commonly performed for men who are at risk of prostate cancer but may also help radiologists detect other medical conditions related to the bladder, prostate glands, and seminal vesicles. Transrectal ultrasounds may cause a mild amount of discomfort as the small transducer is inserted into the rectum, but the scan should only take about 30 minutes.

Transabdominal ultrasound

During a transabdominal ultrasound, a hand-held transducer is placed upon the lower abdomen to create images of the bladder, kidneys, liver, pancreas, and intestines. Transabdominal ultrasounds are used to detect abnormal growths (like tumors or cysts), aortic aneurysms, and masses (like an abscess). A special Doppler ultrasound may be used to test blood flow through blood vessels in the abdominal organs.

Pelvic ultrasounds can help doctors detect a wide range of health conditions inside the pelvis and lower abdomen. They are quick, only mildly uncomfortable, and do not use radiation. They can show real-time images of organs, soft tissue, and blood vessels in the body. The specialized Doppler ultrasound can be used to show blood flow by pinging sound waves off moving blood cells. In some cases, however, further testing may be needed. A doctor may order a biopsy, for example, if they suspect a growth inside the body may be cancerous.

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There isn't much of a difference. Pelvic ultrasounds use the same technology that ultrasounds do, they just focus on the organs and tissues in the pelvis and lower abdomen. During a transabdominal ultrasound, a small hand-held transducer will be pressed on the area being examined, as sound waves create real-time images on a monitor near your exam table.

If your doctor requests that you receive a transvaginal or transrectal ultrasound, the transducer will be inserted into either the vagina or rectum to get a clear picture of the reproductive organs. These ultrasound tests are usually used to screen for signs of cancer (like prostate cancer) or abnormal growths (like ovarian cysts). Transvaginal and transrectal ultrasounds may cause more discomfort than an abdominal ultrasound, as the transducer must be inserted into the body. Despite the discomfort, these ultrasounds are fairly quick procedures- usually only taking 15-30 minutes to complete.

Transabdominal ultrasounds are no different than ultrasounds imaging other parts of the body. The transducer is held on your skin as images are collected through sound waves bouncing off structures in the body. Transvaginal and transrectal ultrasounds do require the transducer to be inserted into the body through the vagina or rectum, but, aside from that, much of the process is very much the same.

Talk to your primary care provider about any questions or concerns you have regarding a pelvic ultrasound. You doctor can offer medical advice on how to prepare, and what to expect during the exam.

Pelvic ultrasounds take about 15-30 minutes to complete. Pelvic ultrasounds are commonly performed at a radiology clinic. If you are receiving a pelvic ultrasound, you may be asked to drink 24-32 oz of water at least 1 hour before the exam.

During the exam, you will lay on an exam table while a transducer is either held on your lower abdomen or inserted into your rectum/ vagina (for transrectal/transvaginal ultrasounds). This may cause some mild discomfort. During the exam, the images produced by the transducer will be displayed on a monitor near your exam table. This means that both you and the sonographer can view the imaging in real-time.

You can usually go home right after your ultrasound exam. Because pelvic ultrasounds do not require anesthesia, you can go about your daily activities as normal. A radiologist will examine the test results of your ultrasound and follow up with your doctor's office about any concerns or findings from the imaging.

Your radiologist will provide you with guidance on how to best prepare for a pelvic ultrasound procedure.

In most cases, you will have to drink at least 24-32 oz of water at least 1 hour before the ultrasound exam. Sound waves travel more easily through liquid, so having a full bladder can help the ultrasound produce fuller and clearer images of organs deep in the pelvis. You can empty your bladder once the exam is over. Aside from drinking lots of water right before your test, no fasting or other preparation is required. If you have allergies or medication sensitivities, you should inform your doctor before your exam.

Transvaginal ultrasounds require an empty bladder, so you will be asked to urinate before your exam so that the internal organs are cleared of fluid.

Scrotal ultrasounds are diagnostic imaging tests used to examine the testes and surrounding tissue for evidence of trauma, infection, or damage.

An ultrasound is a simple, diagnostic tool that doctors use to take a look inside your body. Ultrasounds use high-frequency sound waves to show doctors your internal organs and structures in real-time, helping them detect conditions like blood clots, gallstones, cancer, and more. Ultrasounds are a form of diagnostic imaging, just like x-rays or CT scans.

From physical therapists to obstetricians/gynecologists (OB/GYN), all kinds of healthcare providers use ultrasound imaging to diagnose and treat their patients. You may sometimes hear doctors call ultrasounds “sonography” or “sonograms.” These terms are interchangeable with “ultrasound”.

Before the ultrasound, you will be asked to change out of your street clothes and into a hospital gown.

In the exam room, you will be asked to lie down on your back with your legs spread open on a padded table. Your doctor will use a hand-held device known as a transducer, which directs high-frequency sound waves into the tissue being studied. After the area is gelled (gel helps conduct the ultrasound waves), the transducer is placed against the skin of your scrotum for imaging.

As the sound waves echo off the scrotal tissue, the transducer sends data to a computer that records the feedback and creates images. You may be asked to hold your breath for several seconds as images are being taken. Your doctor may ask you to reposition yourself a few times for various imaging angles.

This procedure usually takes about 15-30 minutes. Unless further testing is needed, most individuals are free to resume daily activities after their ultrasound.

After your appointment, a radiologist will review the images produced by the exam. They will then present their findings to your health care provider, who will pass on the results to you. This may take 1-3 business days, depending on the clinic.

Scrotal ultrasounds are exams that allow doctors to see inside the genital area without surgery.

An ultrasound of the scrotum helps doctors:

• Detect trauma to the scrotum
• Determine whether or not a mass felt in the testicles is a cancerous tumor or a fluid-filled cyst
• Identify and diagnose causes of testicle pain or swelling (such as epididymitis)
• Detect varicoceles - varicose veins in the scrotum - which can lead to infertility
• Look for the location of an undescended teste

If you are experiencing pain or unexplainable swelling in the testicles, or have felt a lump in your scrotum, talk to your doctor about scheduling a scrotal ultrasound. Testicular trauma can cause serious discomfort and may lead to infertility if left untreated. Testicular cancer, if undiagnosed, can be life-threatening. Because of this, it is recommended that you seek diagnostic imaging right away to determine the cause of your symptoms.