Ultrasound

What is an Ultrasound Examination?

Ultrasound is the use of sound waves to obtain a medical image or picture of various organs and tissues in the body. It’s a safe, painless procedure.

Ultrasound produces very precise images of your soft tissue (heart, blood vessels, uterus, bladder, etc.) and reveals internal motion such as heart beat and blood flow. It can detect diseased or damaged tissues, locate abnormal growths and identify a wide variety of changing conditions, which enables your doctor to make a quick and accurate diagnosis.

What Can You Expect During the Ultrasound?

You’ll be assisted on an examination table. At this time, a transmission gel will be applied to the area of your body to be examined. A transducer will be moved slowly over the body part being imaged. The transducer sends a signal to a computer that produces the ultrasound image. You’ll feel slight pressure and the movement of the transducer over the body.

For Your Personal Safety and Comfort

Wear comfortable clothing
Avoid wearing jewelry
Avoid soft drinks before the exam

Instructions for You

Abdominal Ultrasound

You must register 30 minutes prior to your appointment
Exam should take about 30 minutes
Fasting 12 - 14 hours prior to exam is preferred

Biopsy

Fasting morning of procedure
Arrive one hour prior to study for registration and a nurse interview
Will be observed for at least two hours after biopsy procedure
Have someone drive you home

Biopsy - Thyroid and Breast

Arrive 30 minutes prior to study for registration and a nurse interview
Procedure takes approximately one hour

Breast Ultrasound

There are no special instructions for you
Exam takes about 30 minutes

Carotid Doppler Duplex Ultrasound

Do not wear clothing such as a turtleneck or shirts with high collars
Exam takes one hour

Extremity Ultrasound

There are no special instructions for you

Gallbladders Ultrasound

You must register 30 minutes prior to your appointment
Exam should take about 30 minutes
Fasting 12 - 14 hours prior to exam is preferred

Liver Ultrasound

You must register 30 minutes prior to your appointment
Exam takes about 30 minutes

Mesenteric Duplex/Doppler Ultrasound of Abdomen

You may not have any food or drink 12-14 hours prior to the exam
You will have an abdominal ultrasound then eat a high calorie meal or drink one or two cans of Ensure
You will have a DOPPLER evaluation after the meal. Normally 30 minutes to 1-½ hours after drinking Ensure
Exam takes about two hours

Obstetrical Ultrasound

Drink 32 ounces of water at least one hour before your appointment
Register 30 minutes before exam

Pelvic Ultrasound

Drink 32 ounces of water at least one hour before appointment
Do not empty your bladder prior to the exam
Register 30 minutes before exam

Peripheral Vascular Study of the Lower Leg Arteries

Pants must be removed prior to exam
Exam should last about two hours
Limited ABD Ultrasound for Pyloric Stenosis
You may not have any food or drink two hours prior to the exam

Renal Ultrasound

You may not have any food or drink 12 hours prior to the exam
Exam should take about 30 minutes

Renal Duplex

You may not have any food or drink 12 hours prior to the exam
Exam should take about two hours

Thyroid Ultrasound

There are no special instructions for this exam

Venous Doppler/Duplex Ultrasound

There are no special instructions for this exam

Please Call if You Have Any Questions:

Carteret Health Care 252-808-6169
Ultrasound Department 252-808-6164
Scheduling 252-808-6200

Our hours are from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday