What Is An Ultrasound?

Most people often associate ultrasounds with a trip to the gynecologist, but ultrasound technology is used for many different reasons – and it can help both men and women. The technology was even used to locate objects on the ocean floor after the Titanic sank in the late 1800s!

An ultrasound, sometimes called a sonogram, uses high frequency sound waves to create images of the inside of the body, and Melanie Caruso, ultrasound supervisor at Middlesex Hospital, says only a small percentage of ultrasounds are gynecological exams.

There are many types of ultrasounds, including:

• Abdominal ultrasounds, which evaluate abnormalities of the liver, kidneys, aorta, inferior vena cava, pancreas, spleen, gallbladder, bile ducts and hepatic vessels
• Pelvis ultrasounds, which evaluate abnormal bleeding, ovarian torsion, cysts, fibroids and bloating
• Thyroid ultrasounds, which evaluate goiter, nodules and palpable concerns
• Soft tissue ultrasounds, which evaluate superficial concerns, such as lumps, that are felt by patients
• Vascular ultrasounds, which evaluate blood vessel concerns, such as carotid arteries, and venous concerns, such as varicose veins and blood clots
• Echocardiograms, which evaluate heart function
• Interventional procedure exams, which provide guidance for biopsies and other procedures
• Pediatric exams, which help with pyloric stenosis, infant hip evaluations and cranial evaluations for young patients with brain structure or head size concerns
• Operating room exams, which provide guidance during surgeries
• Therapeutic ultrasounds, which are used as part of physical therapy treatment

As new technologies are developed, researchers, physicians and radiologists discover new ways to use ultrasounds. This is helpful because ultrasounds often provide valuable information – information that would otherwise only be available through an invasive procedure.

Getting an ultrasound is very safe, and radiation is not used to create images. As a result, it is often a chosen method of evaluation when exposure to radiation is a concern, making ultrasounds a great way to evaluate children and pregnant women.

While there are no known side effects to having an ultrasound, Caruso says Middlesex Hospital always utilizes proper precautions to insure patient safety. Ultrasound exams are only performed when necessary and limited to the amount the time it takes to provide a thorough evaluation. Tests usually last between 15 and 40 minutes.

While there are many benefits to having an ultrasound, Caruso says they aren't guaranteed to present a clear picture. Image quality can sometimes be impacted by differences in patient anatomy. It's also not possible to evaluate abnormalities in bony structures.

As for patient prep, certain ultrasound exams do require you to follow a few rules before you arrive. For example, a full bladder is required when having a bladder or pelvis exam.

Be sure to check with your doctor or radiologist when scheduling your ultrasound to learn about your test.