Abdomen, Cardiac, and Soft Tissues Ultrasound Procedures

Your physician has arranged for you to have an ultrasound scan, a diagnostic procedure known as ultrasonography.

Ultrasonography has provided physicians with a safe, painless diagnostic tool for more than twenty years.  The procedure creates images of internal body structures by sending high frequency sound waves into the human body and receiving echoes returning from the tissues.

The sound waves, known as ultrasound, are sent and received through an instrument called a transducer (the part of the ultrasound equipment stystem that actually touches you).

The high frequency, or pitch, of ultrasound is far above the range of human hearing.  Ultrasound presents no known risks to your health.

What to expect during your visit

When You Arrive At VRMC
Please arrive at your scheduled appointment time.  Enter VRMC through the main lobby and proceed to the patient services desk.  A patient services representative will help you register for admission to our Imaging Department.

Time Required For Ultrasound Procedures
The directions below suggest how much time to set aside for your paticular scan.  Occasional delays may occur, however, so we recommend that you allow extra time for the entire procedure.

Directions For Your Particular Scan
Abdomen Scan (gallbladder, kidney, liver, pancreas, aorta, etc)
          * NOTHING to eat or drink after midnight the night before the procedure
          * Allow approximately 45 minutes for the procedure
Cardiac Scan (echocardiogram)
          * You may eat or drink as normal
          * Allow approximately one hour for the procedure
Soft Tissue Scan (thyroid, neck, breast, etc.)
          * You may eat or drink as normal
          * Allow approximately one hour for the procedure
Vascular (veins, carotids)
          * You may eat and drink as normal
          * Allow approximately 1 - 1-1/2 hours for the procedure
TEE (transesophageal echocardiagram)
          * NOTHING to eat or drink after midnight
          * Bring list of medications and dosages with you
          * Allow approximately 1-1/2 to two hours for the procedure
          * Bring someone to drive you home after the procedure

During the scan every patient receives a topical anesthesia of the throat and intravenous sedation.  The TEE probe is then pushed gently to the esophagus, and imaging is started immediately.  Typically it takes less then twenty minutes to do a complete study; however, if a patient is very uncomfortable, we image what his or her doctor wants the most, typically in less than a minute or two.

After Your Arrival And Registration
You will first be greeted by a technologist from our ultrasound staff.  After a few initial questions, the technologist will ask you to remove your regular clothing and change into a gown.

Please feel free to ask the technologist any questions you may have about your ultrasound procedure.

During Your Scan
Once you are in the ultrasound room, the technologist will help you onto a padded table.  You will need to lie down to be positioned for the ultrasound scan.  A special gel is then applied to your skin.  The gel prevents air from getting between your skin and the ultrasound source.

A small microphone-shaped instrument, called a transducer, is passed over the area of our body to be scanned, producing a sensation of light pressure on your skin.  As the procedure continues, you may be asked to turn on your side or lie on your stomach.  As the ultrasound images, or sonograms, are actually recorded, you will need to control your breathing and remain perfectly still.

The technologist will review your sonograms while you wait to ensure that they contain all the necessary information requested by your physician.  Occasionally, additional sonograms may be needed.  Once the entire procedure has been completed, the gel is removed and you may change into your regular clothes.

By relaxing and working with your technologist, you can contribute to the success of your ultrasound procedure.

After You Scan
Unless otherwise directed, you may leave VRMC and return to a normal routine.  A physician, specially trained in interpreting ultrasound studies, will review your sonograms and contact your physician, who will share the results with you.  Additional test or treatment may be recommended.