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Ultrasound

What is an Ultrasound Examination?

Ultrasound is the use of sound waves to obtain a medical image or picture of various organs and tissues in the body. It’s a safe, painless procedure.

Ultrasound produces very precise images of your soft tissue (heart, blood vessels, uterus, bladder, etc.) and reveals internal motion such as heart beat and blood flow. It can detect diseased or damaged tissues, locate abnormal growths and identify a wide variety of changing conditions, which enables your doctor to make a quick and accurate diagnosis.

What Can You Expect During the Ultrasound?

You’ll be assisted on an examination table. At this time, a transmission gel will be applied to the area of your body to be examined. A transducer will be moved slowly over the body part being imaged. The transducer sends a signal to a computer that produces the ultrasound image. You’ll feel slight pressure and the movement of the transducer over the body.

For Your Personal Safety and Comfort

  • Wear comfortable clothing
  • Avoid wearing jewelry
  • Avoid soft drinks before the exam

Instructions for You

Abdominal Ultrasound

  • You must register 30 minutes prior to your appointment
  • Exam should take about 30 minutes
  • Fasting 12 - 14 hours prior to exam is preferred

Biopsy

  • Fasting morning of procedure
  • Arrive one hour prior to study for registration and a nurse interview
  • Will be observed for at least two hours after biopsy procedure
  • Have someone drive you home

Biopsy - Thyroid and Breast

  • Arrive 30 minutes prior to study for registration and a nurse interview
  • Procedure takes approximately one hour

Breast Ultrasound

  • There are no special instructions for you
  • Exam takes about 30 minutes

Carotid Doppler Duplex Ultrasound

  • Do not wear clothing such as a turtleneck or shirts with high collars
  • Exam takes one hour

Extremity Ultrasound

  • There are no special instructions for you

Gallbladders Ultrasound

  • You must register 30 minutes prior to your appointment
  • Exam should take about 30 minutes
  • Fasting 12 - 14 hours prior to exam is preferred

Liver Ultrasound

  • You must register 30 minutes prior to your appointment
  • Exam takes about 30 minutes

Mesenteric Duplex/Doppler Ultrasound of Abdomen

  • You may not have any food or drink 12-14 hours prior to the exam
  • You will have an abdominal ultrasound then eat a high calorie meal or drink one or two cans of Ensure
  • You will have a DOPPLER evaluation after the meal. Normally 30 minutes to 1-½ hours after drinking Ensure
  • Exam takes about two hours

Obstetrical Ultrasound

  • Drink 32 ounces of water at least one hour before your appointment
  • Register 30 minutes before exam

Pelvic Ultrasound

  • Drink 32 ounces of water at least one hour before appointment
  • Do not empty your bladder prior to the exam
  • Register 30 minutes before exam

Peripheral Vascular Study of the Lower Leg Arteries

  • Pants must be removed prior to exam
  • Exam should last about two hours
  • Limited ABD Ultrasound for Pyloric Stenosis
  • You may not have any food or drink two hours prior to the exam

Renal Ultrasound

  • You may not have any food or drink 12 hours prior to the exam
  • Exam should take about 30 minutes

Renal Duplex

  • You may not have any food or drink 12 hours prior to the exam
  • Exam should take about two hours

Thyroid Ultrasound

  • There are no special instructions for this exam

Venous Doppler/Duplex Ultrasound

  • There are no special instructions for this exam
Please Call if You Have Any Questions:

Carteret Health Care 252-808-6169
Ultrasound Department 252-808-6164
Scheduling 252-808-6200

Our hours are from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday