Also called sonography, ultrasound is a simple imaging procedure that bounces high-frequency sound waves off parts of the body. The reflected echoes are recorded and displayed as a real-time visual image. Because these images show motion, ultrasound is used for a variety of applications, including examining a moving fetus, capturing pelvic and abdominal function, or studying blood flow through veins and arteries. No ionizing radiation (x-rays) or injections are used in US imaging which makes this modality an extremely safe and painless diagnostic tool.

Preparation for your procedure at Washington Imaging Services (WIS) will depend on the type of ultrasound being done and the body area being scanned. Specific preparations are listed below with links to the Ultrasound Exam Guidelines for general procedural information.

Abdominal US
Fetal or Obstetric US
Nuchal Translucency US
Pelvic or Transvaginal US
Renal Artery US
Scrotal US
Sonohysterogram US
Thyroid US
Vascular or Carotid/Deep Vein US

Abdominal US
Assesses the gallbladder, liver, spleen, pancreas and kidneys.

Preparation

• For morning appointments, do not eat food or drink liquids after midnight the night before your exam. Take medications as usual.
• For noon or later appointments, do not eat food or drink liquids 6 hours prior to your exam.
• Do not smoke or chew gum prior to your exam as they can increase stomach gas.
• Allow 45 minutes for the exam.
• Consult the Ultrasound Exam Guidelines for more information. Here and elsewhere zip down to US Guidelines on this page

Fetal or Obstetric US
Evaluates the size and age of a fetus and assesses its growth, development and well-being during pregnancy. Fetal US can be used to detect some, but not all, fetal abnormalities. This screening allows appropriate treatment to be given during pregnancy and childbirth.

Preparation

• Drink two 8 oz. glasses of non-carbonated fluids 1 hour prior to your exam.
• Please do not empty your bladder prior to the exam. Your bladder must be full in order to better image the anatomy of your baby. To obtain images of the necessary internal structures, the sound waves must first travel through your bladder. A full bladder enables the ultrasound to produce better images of the areas being studied.
• Allow 45 minutes for the exam.
• Consult the Ultrasound Exam Guidelines for more information.

Nuchal Translucency US
Assesses the risk for Down syndrome (DS) and other chromosomal abnormalities in a fetus during pregnancy. This screening test is performed at a fetal age of 11-13 weeks by a sonongrapher certified by the Fetal Medicine Foundation. The ultrasound measures the amount of fluid (called nuchal translucency or NT) at the back of the fetus’s neck. A maternal finger stick blood test is also taken and sent with the fetal NT measurements to a genetics lab. The referring doctor will get the risk evaluation in 3-5 working days.

Preparation

• Drink two 8 oz. glasses of non-carbonated fluids 1 hour prior to your exam.
• Please do not empty your bladder prior to the exam. Your bladder must be full in order to better image the anatomy of your baby. To obtain images of the necessary internal structures, the sound waves must first travel through your bladder. A full bladder enables the ultrasound to produce better images of the areas being studied.
• Allow 45 minutes for the exam.
• Consult the Ultrasound Exam Guidelines for more information.

Pelvic or Transvaginal US
Evaluates the uterus, ovaries and their surrounding anatomy.

Preparation

• Drink four 8 oz. glasses of non-carbonated fluids 1 hour prior to your exam.
• Please do not empty your bladder prior to the exam. To obtain images of the uterus and ovaries, the sound waves must first travel through your bladder. A full bladder will enable the ultrasound to produce better images of the areas being studied.
• To better visualize the pelvic anatomy to make an accurate diagnosis, transvaginal ultrasound may be used. This method uses a transducer specially designed to be placed in the vagina.
• Allow 45 minutes for the exam.
• Consult the Ultrasound Exam Guidelines for more information.

Renal Artery US
Evaluates blood flow to the kidneys through the renal artery.

Preparation

• For morning appointments, do not eat food or drink liquids after midnight the night before your exam. Take medications as usual.
• For noon or later appointments, do not eat food or drink liquids 6 hours prior to your exam.
• Do not smoke or chew gum prior to your exam as they can increase stomach gas.
• Allow 45 minutes for the exam.
• Consult the Ultrasound Exam Guidelines for more information.

Scrotal US
Evaluates abnormalities of the testicles and surrounding tissues.

Preparation

• No special preparation is needed.
• Allow 45 minutes for the exam.
• Consult the Ultrasound Exam Guidelines for more information.

Sonohysterogram US
Evaluates the inside of the uterus (the endometrial cavity). It can be used to look for polyps and endometrial cancer. This procedure involves a speculum exam and placing a small amount of sterile water into the uterus while scanning with a transvaginal ultrasound probe.

Preparation

• Drink four 8 oz. glasses of non-carbonated fluids 1 hour prior to your exam.
• Please do not empty your bladder prior to the exam.
• Exam should not be performed during your menstruation.
• Allow 90 minutes for the exam.
• Consult the Ultrasound Exam Guidelines for more information.

Thyroid US
Evaluates the size of the thyroid gland and looks for thyroid nodules.

Preparation

• No special preparation is needed.
• Allow 45 minutes for the exam.
• Consult the Ultrasound Exam Guidelines for more information.

Vascular or Carotid/Deep Vein US
Evaluates the body’s circulatory system by monitoring the blood flow to organs and tissues throughout the body. Vascular US provides a non-invasive means to evaluate blockages to blood flow, such as clots in veins or plaque in arteries. Images may also be used to plan or review the success of procedures such as vessel grafts.

Preparation

• No special preparation is needed.
• Allow 45-90 minutes for the exam.
• Consult the Ultrasound Exam Guidelines for more information.

Ultrasound Exam Guidelines

Preparation

• Prior to your scheduled appointment, Washington Imaging Service (WIS) will call you to discuss specific instructions, review your health and insurance information and answer any questions.
• For your convenience, print out and complete the appropriate Patient Forms, including Patient Registration and Patient History. Bring them with you to your appointment.
• Follow the specific preparation instructions listed above for your particular type of ultrasound exam. These may include dietary restrictions and instructions on drinking fluids. Take your medication as usual (unless your physician has given you other instructions).
• Leave your valuables at home.
• Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing. For some exams, you may need to change into a hospital gown or scrubs.
• Please notify the technologist if you are pregnant or could be pregnant.
• Please bring all relevant prior examination films or studies (CT, MRI, ultrasound, x-rays, etc.) with you on the day of your exam.
• Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your exam.

What to Expect During the Exam

• Most ultrasound exams are painless, fast and easy with no side effects. Allow between 45-90 minutes for the exam, depending on the area of the body being imaged.
• You will be positioned on a cushioned examination table. The technologist will apply a warm clear gel to the skin above the anatomic structure to be studied. The gel acts as a conductor, eliminating air bubbles between the transducer and your body.
• The transducer, a hand-held device which sends and receives ultrasound signals, is pressed against the skin and swept back and forth until the desired images are captured. There may be varying degrees of discomfort from pressure as the technologist guides the transducer over the body, especially if you are required to have a full bladder for the exam.
• Certain pelvic or obstetrical exams (transvaginal) utilize a special transducer that is inserted into the vagina for more detailed imaging.
• The ultrasound images are captured on a television-like monitor and transferred to film or videotape for a radiologist to review and interpret.

What to Expect After the Exam

• You may leave as soon as the exam is completed and resume normal activities.
• Your normal diet may be resumed.
• Your imaging study will be interpreted by an OIA board certified radiologist who specializes in the area of the body being scanned.
• Your referring physician will receive a report and pictures detailing the findings of your exam within 24 hours. You should contact your doctor to discuss the results.

WIS sonographers are board certified with the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS). Our lab is accredited with the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL) and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM).