Ultrasound
A patient guide to Ultrasound at Radiology Associates.
What is ultrasound?
Ultrasound (also called sonography) uses high-frequency sound waves — not radiation — to produce real-time, moving images of organs, blood vessels, and tissues. It's the same technology used to image babies during pregnancy and is one of the safest imaging tests available.
What it's used for
- Pregnancy and fetal evaluation
- Abdomen: gallbladder, liver, pancreas, kidneys, bladder, spleen
- Pelvic organs: uterus, ovaries, prostate
- Thyroid, parathyroid, and breast lumps
- Vascular imaging: looking for blood clots, blockages, aneurysms, and graft problems
- Heart imaging (echocardiogram)
- Guiding biopsies and drainage procedures
How to prepare
Preparation depends on the exam:
- Abdominal ultrasound: don't eat for 6 to 8 hours so the gallbladder is full
- Pelvic (transabdominal): drink water and arrive with a full bladder
- Renal (kidney): drink water; full bladder is helpful
- Pregnancy and most other exams: no special preparation
Wear loose clothing for easy access to the area being scanned. We'll provide a gown if needed.
What to expect during your exam
A technologist (called a sonographer) will apply a warm, water-based gel to your skin and glide a smooth handheld probe (transducer) over the area being imaged. You may feel mild pressure but no pain. The probe sends sound waves into the body and listens for the echoes coming back — there is no needle and no injection.
Most exams take 20 to 45 minutes. For some specialized exams (transvaginal, transrectal), an internal probe is used to get closer to the area of interest. The sonographer will explain everything in advance and protect your privacy throughout.
Is it safe?
Ultrasound is extremely safe. It uses no ionizing radiation and has no known harmful effects when used at diagnostic levels. It's safe in pregnancy, in children of any age, and for repeated use over time.
After your exam
The gel wipes off easily and you can return to normal activities right away. Your radiologist will interpret the images and send a report to your physician, typically the same day.