General Ultrasounds
An ultrasound is a safe and painless exam that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce an image. Ultrasounds do not expose patients to radiation.
The test lasts approximately 30 minutes. Prepare by fasting for 8 hours before the test. The structures visualized in an abdominal scan include:
- Liver
- Gallbladder
- Pancreas
- Kidneys
- Spleen
- Aorta
- Inferior vena cava
A few common indications for an abdominal ultrasound are:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Abssesses
- Kidney or gallbladder stones
- Abnormal liver function or kidney function test
This test lasts for about 20 minutes. There is no preparation necessary. Thyroid scan includes the lateral sides of the neck area. A few common indications include:
- Inflammation of neck
- Superficial lumps and bumps
- Monitoring thyroid nodules
- Abnormal thyroid function test
Prepare by drinking 4-6 glasses of water, to be finished one hour before appointment time. The duration of the exam is approximately 20 minutes. The anatomy assessed includes:
- Prostate
- Seminal vesicles
- Bladder
The scan is used to help diagnose things such as:
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney stones
- Benign prostate enlargement (BPE)
A few indications may include:
- Infections or cysts in seminal vesicles (glands that help produce semen)
- Palpable masses
- Testicular or scrotal infection
- Scrotal or penile injury
Preparation includes wearing comfortable, loose fitting clothing. Depending on the location of the are being assessed, the scan can take 1020 minutes. Ultrasound is used to image:
- Muscles
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Nerves
- Joints throughout the body
It is used to help diagnose:
- tendon tears or tendinitis of the shoulder
- Achilles tendon in the ankle
- muscle tears, masses or fluid collections
- ligament sprains or tears
- inflammation or fluid (effusions) within the bursae and joints
- early changes of rheumatoid arthritis
- nerve entrapments such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- benign and malignant soft tissue tumors
- ganglion cysts
- foreign bodies in the soft tissues (such as splinters or glass)
- tennis/golfer’s elbow
No preparation required. The exam will last approximately 20 minutes. Anatomy assessed are:
- Testicals
- Epididymis
- Spermatic cord
A few indications may include:
- Testicular pain
- Testicular swelling
- Undescended testes
The scan is used to:
- determine the location of a palpable mass and whether is cystic or solid
- diagnose results of trauma to the scrotal area
- diagnose causes of testicular pain or swelling such as inflammation or torsion
- look for the location of the undescended testis
Prepare by drinking 4-6 glasses of water to be finished one hour before exam time and fasting for 8 hours. Duration of the exam is approximately 20 minutes. The test is used to assess:
- Kidneys
- Ureters
- Bladder
A few indications may include:
- History of kidneys stones
- Trouble emptying the bladder
- Pain along the urinary tract
- Hematuria (blood in the urine)
Types of findings:
- Polycystic kidneys
- Renal masses
- Stones
- Obstructions
- Abnormal size
- Abnormal renal vasculature
- Bladder lesions