Ultrasound
When you need an ultrasound, experience matters. At Saint Luke's, you are in the hands of experts, including respected radiologists and specially trained technologists. Our commitment to quality helps us stay committed to helping you receive extraordinary care.
What is an abdominal ultrasound?
An abdominal ultrasound (sonogram) is an imaging test used to assess the organs and structures in the belly (abdomen). These include the:
Liver.
Gallbladder.
Bile ducts.
Spleen.
Kidneys.
Abdominal aorta.
Appendix.
Ultrasound lets your doctor easily see the abdominal organs and structures from outside the body. Ultrasound may also be used to assess blood flow to abdominal organs.
An abdominal ultrasound uses a handheld probe (transducer). It sends out ultrasonic sound waves at a frequency too high to be heard. When the transducer is placed on the belly at certain locations and angles, the sound waves move through the skin and other body tissues to the organs and structures of the belly. The sound waves bounce off the organs like an echo and return to the transducer. The transducer picks up the reflected waves. These are then converted into an electronic picture of the organs.
Different types of body tissues affect how fast sound waves travel. Sound travels the fastest through bone tissue. It moves most slowly through air. The speed at which the sound waves are returned to the transducer, as well as how much of the sound wave returns, is translated by the transducer as different types of tissue.
Before the procedure, a clear, water-based gel is put on the skin. This lets the transducer move smoothly over the skin. It also helps remove any air between the skin and the transducer.
An ultrasound can also be used to assess blood flow in the belly. The transducer that does this contains a Doppler probe. The Doppler probe evaluates the speed and direction of blood flow in vessels by making the sound waves easy to hear. The degree of loudness of the sound waves indicates the rate of blood flow within a blood vessel. Absence or faintness of these sounds may mean there is a blockage of blood flow.
Why might you need an abdominal ultrasound?
Abdominal ultrasound may be used to assess the size and location of organs and structures in the belly. It can also be used to check the belly for conditions such as:
Collections of fluid (cysts).
Tumors.
Collections of pus (abscesses).
Blockages.
Fluid buildup.
Clots in blood vessels.
Infection.
Liver cirrhosis.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Gallstones.
The size of the abdominal aorta can be measured by ultrasound. This may be done to detect an aortic aneurysm. This is a ballooning and weakening of the blood vessel. Stones in the gallbladder, kidneys, and ureters may also be found with ultrasound.
Abdominal ultrasound may be used to guide needles used to biopsy. A biopsy is the removal of a piece of tissue for testing. Abdominal ultrasound is also used to drain fluid from a cyst or a pus-filled infection (abscess).
This test can be used to assess blood flow in the belly.
There may be other reasons for your doctor to advise an abdominal ultrasound.
What are the risks of an abdominal ultrasound?
There is no radiation used and generally no discomfort caused by moving the ultrasound transducer over the skin. No radiation or contrast dyes are used. So ultrasound may be safely used during pregnancy or in people with allergies to contrast dye.
There may be risks depending on your specific health condition. Discuss any concerns with your doctor before the test.
Certain factors or conditions may interfere with the results of the test. These include:
Severe obesity.
Barium in the intestines from a recent barium procedure.
Intestinal gas.
How do you get ready for an abdominal ultrasound?
Your doctor will explain the test to you, and you can ask questions.
You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the test. Read the form carefully. Before you sign, ask questions if anything isn't clear.
Any preparation before the test, such as fasting (not eating) or sedation (using medicines to make you sleepy), will be determined by the specific area to be examined. Your doctor will give you instructions if needed.
The gel placed on the skin during the test doesn't stain clothing. But the gel may not be fully removed from your skin afterward. So you may want to wear older clothing.
Based on your health condition, your doctor may request other specific preparation.
What happens during an abdominal ultrasound?
An abdominal ultrasound may be done on an outpatient basis. This means you go home the same day. Or it may be done as part of a hospital stay. Tests may vary depending on your condition and your doctor's practices.
Generally, an abdominal ultrasound follows this process:
You will be asked to remove any clothing, jewelry, or other objects that may interfere with the test.
If asked to remove clothing, you will be given a gown to wear.
You will lie on an exam table. You will lie either on your side or on your back, depending on the specific area of the belly to be examined.
A clear, water-based gel will be put on the skin over your belly.
The transducer will be pressed against the skin and moved around over the area being studied.
If blood flow is being assessed, you may hear a whoosh, whoosh sound when the Doppler probe is used.
After the test is done, the gel will be wiped off.
The abdominal ultrasound test itself causes no pain. But having to lie still or flat for the test may cause mild discomfort. And the gel may feel cool and wet. The technologist will use all possible comfort measures. They will complete the test as quickly as possible to reduce any discomfort.
What happens after an abdominal ultrasound?
There is no special care needed after an abdominal ultrasound. You may go back to your normal diet and activities unless your doctor tells you differently.
Your doctor may give you other instructions after the test, depending on your particular situation.
Next steps
Before you agree to the test or the procedure, make sure you know:
The name of the test or procedure.
The reason you are having the test or procedure.
What results to expect and what they mean.
The risks and benefits of the test or procedure.
What the possible side effects or complications are.
When and where you are to have the test or procedure.
Who will do the test or procedure and what that person’s qualifications are.
What would happen if you did not have the test or procedure.
Any alternative tests or procedures to think about.
When and how you will get the results.
Who to contact after the test or procedure if you have questions or problems.
How much you will have to pay for the test or procedure.
What is a pelvic ultrasound?
A pelvic ultrasound is a scan that looks at the organs and structures in your pelvic area. It lets your healthcare provider look at your:
Uterus
Cervix
Bladder
Fallopian tubes
Ovaries
Your provider can also use Doppler ultrasound. It allows them to see how blood is flowing in certain pelvic organs.
Ultrasound uses a device called a transducer to send out sound waves that are too high to be heard. The transducer sends the sound waves through your skin and other body tissues to the organs and structures within. The sound waves bounce off the organs like an echo and return to the transducer. The transducer picks up the reflected waves. These are changed into a picture of the organs.
The ultrasound technologist puts a clear gel on your skin and moves the transducer on the gel. The gel lets the technologist move the transducer smoothly over your skin. It also helps conduct the sound waves.
Pelvic ultrasound may be done in 2 ways:
Transabdominal. A transducer and gel are put on your belly.
Transvaginal. A long, thin transducer is covered with a plastic or latex sheath and gel. The transducer is then put into the vagina.
The type of ultrasound procedure you have depends on why you need it. You may need only 1 type of pelvic ultrasound. Or you may need both to help your healthcare provider make a diagnosis or give you treatment.
Why might I need a pelvic ultrasound?
You may need a pelvic ultrasound so your healthcare provider can measure or look at your pelvic organs. Your provider may use the ultrasound to look at:
Size and shape of your uterus and ovaries and where they are
Thickness and density of tissues and organs in your pelvis
Fluids or masses in the endometrium, muscles of the uterus (myometrium), fallopian tubes, or bladder
Length and thickness of your cervix
Changes in the shape of your bladder
Blood flow through your pelvic organs
Pelvic ultrasound can give your healthcare provider lots of information about the size, place, and structure of pelvic masses. But ultrasound can't give a definite diagnosis of cancer or a specific disease.
Your healthcare provider may use pelvic ultrasound to help:
Find problems in the structure of the uterus, including endometrial conditions
Find fibroid tumors (benign growths), masses, cysts, and other types of tumors in the pelvis
Find an IUD (intrauterine contraceptive device)
Diagnose pelvic inflammatory disease or other types of inflammation or infection
Find the cause of bleeding after menopause
Watch your ovaries if you are being treated for infertility
Collect fluid and eggs from egg sacs (follicles) in the ovaries for in vitro fertilization
Diagnose pregnancy that happens outside of the uterus, often in the fallopian tube (ectopic pregnancy)
Watch how your fetus is growing during pregnancy
Look at certain fetal conditions
Your healthcare provider may also use ultrasound to help with other procedures such as endometrial biopsy. Transvaginal ultrasound may be used with a procedure called sonohysterography. For this, your uterus is filled with fluid. This allows your provider to get a better image of the inside of the uterus.
Your provider may have other reasons to advise a pelvic ultrasound.
What are the risks of a pelvic ultrasound?
Ultrasound doesn't use radiation. You usually won't feel any discomfort when the transducer is moved across your skin during a transabdominal ultrasound. You may have a little discomfort when then transvaginal transducer is put into your vagina.
The transvaginal ultrasound transducer is covered in a plastic or latex sheath. This may cause a reaction if you have a latex allergy.
During a transabdominal ultrasound, you may have discomfort from a full bladder or from lying on the exam table.
If you need to have a transabdominal ultrasound right away, your provider may put a thin tube (urinary catheter) into your bladder to fill it.
You may have other risks depending on your health condition. Talk with your healthcare provider about any concerns you have before the procedure.
Some things can affect your test results. These include:
larger body size
Barium within your bowel from a recent barium test
Intestinal gas
Your bladder isn’t full enough for the test (transabdominal ultrasound). A full bladder helps move the uterus up and moves the bowel away to get a better image.
How do I get ready for a pelvic ultrasound?
Your healthcare provider will explain the scan to you. Ask any questions you have about the scan.
Tell your provider if you are sensitive to or are allergic to latex.
You often can eat and drink as normal before the scan. You won't need medicine to help you relax or go to sleep, unless the ultrasound is part of another procedure that needs anesthesia.
Wear clothing that you don’t mind getting gel on. The gel put on your skin during the scan doesn't stain clothing, but some of it may stay on your skin after the scan.
For a transabdominal ultrasound, you will be asked to drink several glasses of water or other liquid 1 to 2 hours before the scan. Don't empty your bladder until the scan is over.
For a transvaginal ultrasound, empty your bladder right before the scan.
Follow any other directions your provider gives you to get ready.
What happens during a pelvic ultrasound?
You may have a pelvic ultrasound done in your healthcare provider’s office. Or you may have it as an outpatient or as part of your stay in a hospital. The scan process may vary depending on your condition and your healthcare provider's practices.
Transabdominal ultrasound
You will remove any clothing, jewelry, or other objects that could get in the way of the scan.
You will be given a gown to wear if you need to remove clothing.
You will lie on your back on an exam table.
The technologist will put gel on your belly (abdomen).
The technologist will press the transducer against your skin. They will move it over the area being studied.
If the technologist is looking at blood flow, you may hear a "whoosh, whoosh" sound when the Doppler mode is used.
You will see images of your pelvic area on the computer screen. Images will be recorded for your healthcare records.
When the technologist finishes the scan, they will wipe off the gel.
You may empty your bladder when the scan is done.
Transvaginal ultrasound
You will remove any clothing, jewelry, or other objects that could get in the way of the scan.
You will be given a gown to wear.
You will lie on an exam table. Your feet and legs will be supported as for a pelvic exam.
The technologist will cover the transvaginal transducer with a plastic sheath. They will put gel on it. They will put the tip of the transducer into your vagina. This may be slightly uncomfortable.
The technologist will gently turn and angle the transducer. This brings the areas for study into focus. You may feel mild pressure as the transducer is moved.
If the technologist is looking at your blood flow, you may hear a "whoosh, whoosh" sound when the Doppler probe is used.
You will see images of your pelvic area on the computer screen. Images will be recorded for your healthcare records.
When the technologist finishes the scan, they will remove the transducer.
What happens after a pelvic ultrasound?
You don't have to do anything special after a pelvic ultrasound. Return to your normal diet and activity unless your healthcare provider tells you not to.
Your healthcare provider may give you additional instructions, depending on your situation.
Next steps
Before you agree to the test or the procedure, find out:
The name of the test or procedure
The reason you are having the test or procedure
What results to expect and what they mean
The risks and benefits of the test or procedure
What the possible side effects or complications are
When and where you are to have the test or procedure
Who will do the test or procedure and what that person’s qualifications are
What would happen if you did not have the test or procedure
Any alternative tests or procedures to think about
When and how you will get the results
Who to call after the test or procedure if you have questions or problems
How much you will have to pay for the test or procedure
What is a Doppler flow study?
Doppler flow is a type of ultrasound. It uses sound waves to measure the flow of blood through a blood vessel. The results are shown on a computer screen in lines called waveforms. It’s sometimes called Doppler velocimetry. A Doppler flow study may be used during pregnancy to check the health of the unborn baby (fetus). It checks blood flow in:
- The umbilical vein and arteries
- The baby’s brain
- The baby’s heart
- Other organs in the baby
Why might I need a Doppler flow study?
A Doppler flow study is often used when a baby has intrauterine growth restriction. This is when the baby is smaller than normal for the number of weeks of pregnancy. The waveforms may show that there isn't enough blood flow in the umbilical vessels of a baby with fetal growth restriction. This can mean that the baby may not be getting enough blood, nutrients, and oxygen from the placenta. Doppler flow is often used when a woman is pregnant with two or more babies (multiple pregnancy).
What are the risks of a Doppler flow study?
The Doppler flow study is a noninvasive test. The test doesn’t harm the baby or you.
How do I get ready for a Doppler flow study?
You don’t need to do any special preparation before the test.
What happens during a Doppler flow study?
You will lie in a comfortable position on an exam table. A healthcare provider with special training does this test using a special ultrasound machine. Gel is put on your belly. This helps to send sound waves from your belly to the computer. The provider puts a device called an ultrasound transducer on your belly. It takes several minutes to check the flow in each blood vessel being tested.
What happens after a Doppler flow study?
The healthcare provider will talk with you about the results. If the test shows there is not enough blood flow, you may need other testing.
Next steps
Before you agree to the test or procedure for your child make sure you know:
- The name of the test or procedure
- The reason your child is having the test or procedure
- What results to expect and what they mean
- The risks and benefits of the test or procedure
- When and where your child is to have the test or procedure
- Who will do the procedure and what that person’s qualifications are
- What would happen if your child did not have the test or procedure
- Any alternative tests or procedures to think about
- When and how you will get the results
- Who to call after the test or procedure if you have questions or your child has problems
- How much you will have to pay for the test or procedure