Use of high frequency sound waves to create images from inside the body on television monitor without radiation.

ULTRASOUND: Is a method of imaging that uses high-frequency sound waves beyond the range of human hearing to image structures from inside the body.

Types of ultrasound exam:

Abdominal ultrasound examines gallbladder, liver, kidneys, pancreas, spleen, and aorta.

How we perform the examination?
The patient lies on a table with the abdominal area exposed. The radiologist will perform the examination using a special instrument (transducer) that will be moved on the abdominal skin surface. A thin layer of gel is placed on the skin to help the transmission of the sound waves. The doctor will ask you to take a deep breath and hold it for several seconds. Then he analyzes the images from the T.V monitor and pictures on a special film.
The results will be ready after the doctor writes the report.

Pelvic ultrasound
In females, examines the uterus, the ovaries, and the bladder.
In males, he examines the bladder, and the prostate gland.
The examination is performed like the abdominal ultrasound.

Your preparation is to have a full bladder at the time of the examination. Therefore, you should drink 4-5 glasses of water one hour before the examination. Do not eat or drink anything but water for 6-8 hours before the examination. Do not urinate before the examination.
The examination takes about twenty minutes.

Prostate Ultrasound
The ultrasound examination of the prostate can be performed transabdominal (pelvic ultrasound) or transrectal

Transrectal Ultrasound exam of the prostate: An ultrasound transducer about the size of a finger is placed into the rectum and the prostate is scanned.
The examination takes about 15-25 minutes.
The results will be ready after the doctor writes the report.

Vascular Ultrasound (Doppler):
Examines the blood vessels and the blood flow
The most frequently examine are the vessels in the neck, arms, and legs.

Obstetrical Ultrasound examines the uterus, ovaries, and the fetus. The fetus is examined to be sure that its size and anatomy are normal.

First Trimester Ultrasound: the examination makes the diagnosis of pregnancy and the fetal measurements. We collaborate with the obstetrician and we use a special program to determin the fetal risk.of trisomy 21.

Second and third trimester ultrasound performs the measurements of the fetus, determines the rate of the fetal growth, verifies the probable date of birth and localizes the placenta. The examination can determine also the eventual abnormalities of the fetus.

OTHER TYPES OF ULTRASONOGRAPHY THAT WE PERFORM:
Ultrasound of the thyroid
Ultrasound of the testis
Ultrasound of the soft tissues

BONE DENSITOMETRY
Bone densitonetry measures the bone mineral density.
We use the DEXA-scan technique for the diagnosis and follow-up of the osteoporosis. This method assesses the lumbar spine and the proximal femur. The examination takes about 15 minutes. The results are ready after the doctor analyzes the scans.