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Ultrasound tests use sound waves to create images of the internal organs. Carotid ultrasounds are usually ordered to evaluate the flow in the vessels of your neck that supply blood to your neck, face and brain.

In the carotid picture to the right, the vessel is the tubular structure that is filled with color. The color is the ultrasound machine's intrepretation of the flow of blood. The gray wave at the bottom is the pulsation of the vessel.

Your carotid arteries are located along the sides of your neck.  If you have atherosclerosis (aka plaque formation) of your vessels it will show up as areas of narrowing or irregularity. Plaque can result in stenosis (aka narrowing) of the vessel which can lead to decreased flow to the brain for example.

Plaque can also completely block the flow of blood. Some patients with blocked vessels may have no to few symptoms because the blockage has occurred slowly over time and they have collateral vessels that bypass the blockage and supply blood to critical brain structures. However, other patients may exhibit symptoms such as small strokes, dizziness, vertigo, passing out etc. Plaque can also break off and travel up into the brain and cause a stroke.  

Your doctor's order may read "r/o stenosis", "h/o TIA" or "stroke", for example.

(FYI "r/o" stands for rule out, "h/o" stands for history of, and TIA is transient ischemic attack)

Below are some common indications for carotid ultrasounds.

• Examine vessels for narrowing due to symptoms related to stroke, narrowing or blockage
• Examine the vessels due to comorbid medical conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol or family history of stroke
• Evaluate the vessels because of a bruit (rushing, whistling noise) of the vessels heard during a physical exam
• Preoperative evaluation for carotid or other vascular surgery such as heart surgery
• Follow up carotid surgery and evaluate for any progression/worsening of narrowing
• Look for injury to the vessel (dissection, hematoma, etc)

Below is a brief outline of the procedure.

1. After you sign in to the Radiology office, you'll be taken to the ultrasound room.
2. An ultrasound technician will perform the test.
3. Once you enter the room, you will lie down on a bed/gurney.
4. The technologist will ask you to pull down your collar or loosen your shirt.
5. He or she will place a a warmed gel solution over the skin of your neck.
6. The technologist will use an ultrasound probe and glide it over the neck and take pictures.
7. You may be asked to turn your head for the technologist to get a better look at the vessels in the neck.
8. The technologist may ask the Radiologist doctor to review the scan before you leave.
9. An official report is generated by the Radiologist in about 24-48 hours.

If you are insured carotid ultrasounds are covered. However, for uninsured patients these tests can be quite expensive. You can expect to pay anywhere between $300 and $700 for this test.

Have you had a carotid ultrasound? What was it like? Please leave your comments below:

Ultrasound tests use sound waves to create images of the internal organs. Thyroid ultrasounds are frequently ordered to evaluate new nodules or suddenly changing nodules, large thyroid glands or abnormal thyroid function tests.

In the thyroid gland picture to the right, the thyroid gland is the gray speckled tissue on either side and above the black hole (which is your trachea filled with air). The two other black holes on the left and right underneath the thyroid tissue are vessels.

Your thyroid gland is located just below your Adam's apple and is vital in producing hormones such as T4 and T3. People with overactive thyroid gland - called hyperthyroidism -  have symptoms related to racing heartbeats, sweating, tremors, thinning hair, losing weight, bulging eyes. Those with under active thyroid gland - called hypothyroidism -  experience weight gain, tiredness, feel cold, and may have dry skin, among other symptoms.

Your doctor's order may also read "r/o nodule", "r/o tumor" or "enlarged thyroid", for example.

(FYI "r/o" stands for rule out)

Below are some common uses for thyroid ultrasounds.

• Examine new thyroid nodules felt during a physical exam.
  
• Evaluate for suddenly growing nodules of the thyroid 
• Evaluate enlarged thyroid gland
• Examine the thyroid if it is not functioning properly (either under or overactive)
  
• Use ultrasound to help guide a biopsy of a thyroid nodule or mass

Below is a brief outline of the procedure.

1. After you sign in to the Radiology office, you'll be taken to the ultrasound room.
2. An ultrasound technician will perform the test.
3. Once you enter the room, you will lie down on a bed/gurney.
4. The technologist will ask you to pull down your collar or loosen your shirt.
5. He or she will place a a warmed gel solution over the skin of your neck.
6. The technologist will use an ultrasound probe and glide it over the neck and take pictures.
7. You may be asked to turn your head for the technologist to get a better look at the edges of the thyroid and nearby tissues.
8. The technologist may ask the Radiologist doctor to review the scan before you leave.
9. An official report is generated by the Radiologist in about 24-48 hours.

If you are insured thyroid ultrasounds are covered. However, for uninsured patients these tests can be quite expensive. You can expect to pay anywhere between $200 and $500 for this test.

Have you had a thyroid ultrasound? What was it like? Please leave your comments below:

Ultrasound tests use sound waves to create images of the internal organs. DVT (deep vein or venous thrombosis) ultrasounds are frequently ordered to evaluate the veins of the legs and arms to look for clots. These clots can cause swelling and/or pain of one or both legs or arms. The clots can migrate into the arteries that supply the lungs,  and cause life threatening pulmonary emboli which present as shortness of breath and chest pain.  Causes of DVT include:

• The veins of the legs "pump blood" back to the heart by motion of the legs. Blood clots can form when you've been sitting immobile for many hours on a long airplane trip for example.
• Foreign objects in the veins, like catheters or wires can act as clotting agents. This is typically seen in patients who have in-dwelling vein catheters for cancer treatment or fluid infusion.
• There are some medications such as oral contraceptives which can increase the risk of clot formation.
• Patients who are smokers or have cancer are also at increased risk for forming blood clots. Pregnancy and obesity are also other risk factors.
• Some people are born with inherent clotting disorders that increase the risk of clot formation.

Below is a brief outline of the procedure in the outpatient setting:

1. Make sure you wear loose, comfortable clothing.
2. After you sign in, you'll be taken to the ultrasound room and will probably be asked to change into a gown.
3. An ultrasound technician will perform the test.
4. The test is done while you lie down on a bed/gurney.
5. The technologist will ask you to lift up your gown/clothing, exposing your skin.
6. He or she will place a a warmed gel solution over the skin.
7. The technologist will use an ultrasound probe and glide it over your groin and take pictures of the veins to your knee or ankle for a lower leg test. If for the upper arm, the technologist will exam the veins along the side of your neck and down to your elbow area or wrist.
   
8. The technologist will push down on the veins to look for clots. Veins that have clots are not compressible.
   
9. The technologist may ask the Radiologist doctor to review the scan before you leave.
10. An official report is generated by the doctor in about 24-48 hours.

If you are insured DVT ultrasounds are covered. However, for uninsured patients these tests can be quite expensive. You can expect to pay anywhere between $200 and $500 for this test.

Have you had a DVT ultrasound? What was it like? Please leave your comments below

Ultrasound tests use sound waves to create images of the internal organs. Pelvic ultrasounds are frequently ordered to evaluate the organs of the pelvis which include the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and bladder. Below are some common indications for a pelvic ultrasound.

• Confirm pregnancy, evaluate the fetus.
• Look for fibroids, polyps or other tumors of the uterus that may cause pelvic pain, or vaginal bleeding.
• Evaluate the endometrium of the uterus (the inner lining) in post-menopausal vaginal bleeding for polyps or cancer.
• Look for ovarian cysts and tumors which can also cause pelvic pain.
• Rule out ovarian torsion (twisting of the ovary) or ectopic preganancies. These are generally done in an acute setting such as the ER.
• Evalute for pelvic infection such as tubo-ovarian abscess.

Pelvic ultrasounds can be done in two stages. The first is called "transabdominal" - the probe is used over the skin of the abdomen. The second is "transvaginal" (aka endovaginal). This requires inserting a probe into the vagina. This gives the technologist performing the exam and doctor interpreting it greater internal detail. Below is a brief outline of the procedure.

1. You may be asked to drink several small cups of water to fill your bladder for the first part of the test.
2. After you sign in, you'll be taken to the ultrasound room.
3. An ultrasound technician will perform the test.
4. Once you enter the room, you will lie down on a bed/gurney.
5. The technologist will ask you to lift up your clothing, exposing your stomach and upper pelvis area.
6. He or she will place a a warmed gel solution over the skin.
7. The technologist will use an ultrasound probe and glide it over your abdomen while taking pictures.
8. If the transvaginal portion of the test is to be done, you'll be asked to void your bladder. The transvaginal test is much like a gynecological exam.
   
9. You'll return to the ultrasound room and the technologist will ask you to place your feet into stirrups at the end of the table.
10. A drape or towel will be placed across your knees.
11. The technologist will insert a sterilized tube-like probe, covered with a condom and gel.
12. The probe will be moved side to side, up and down to look at the uterus, ovaries, etc. The technologist will take pictures during this portion of the test as well.
13. The technologist may ask the Radiologist doctor to review the scan before you leave.
14. An official report is generated by the doctor in about 24-48 hours.

If you are insured pelvic ultrasounds are covered. However, for uninsured women these tests can be quite expensive. You can expect to pay anywhere between $200 and $700 for this test.

Have you had a Pelvic ultrasound? What was it like? Please leave your comments below. 

Ultrasound tests are used to detect and monitor disease. They use sound waves to create images of the internal organs of the body. They are used frequently to evaluate pelvic organs such as the uterus, ovaries, bladder.  Of course, ultrasound is used quite extensively to monitor pregnancy:

• Confirm that the pregnancy is in the uterus (and not an ectopic in the tubes for example).
• Determine that early pregnancies are viable and the fetus is growing appropriately, particularly if the mother is bleeding.
• Perform screening during the pregnancy to ensure the fetus is growing normally, moving, has a good heartbeat, detect congenital abnormalities, etc.
• In late pregnancy, ultrasounds are also performed to confirm the position of the baby (head or feet down), for example.

Ultrasounds can be performed in different settings such as the hospital, Ob/Gyn office, and outpatient Radiology center. The procedure can take up to 1 hour (depending on the stage of the pregnancy). Below is a short outline of the procedure:

1. After you sign in, you'll be taken to the ultrasound room.
2. The ultrasound technician will perform the test.
3. Once you enter the room, you will lie down on a bed/gurney.
4. The technologist will ask you to lift up your clothing, exposing your stomach and upper pelvis area.
5. He or she will place a a warmed gel solution over the skin.
6. The technologist will use an ultrasound probe and glide it over your abdomen while taking pictures. Some pictures will be captured as mini-movies (see the example video of a 20 week fetal ultrasound below).
7. Some facilities will give you a 1 or 2 page black and white small "polaroid" type of picture to take home.
8. The technologist may ask the Radiologist doctor to review the scan before you leave.
9. An official report is generated by the doctor in about 24-48 hours.

If you are insured ultrasounds during pregnancy are routinely covered. However, many uninsured expectant mothers forgo paying for the tests as they can be quite expensive. You can expect to pay anywhere between $250 to $750 for this test.

Below is a sample video of a 20 week fetal ultrasound. The study is labeled to help orient you to the baby.

Ultrasound scans (aka US) are medical imaging tests that physicians use to discover, treat, and monitor disease. Ultrasound machines send sound waves into your body and then "listen to the reflections". Computers then generate images from the reflected sound waves which are interpreted by physicians.

Ultrasound can be used to image many parts of the body. Ultrasounds are very good at looking soft internal organs such as the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, heart, spleen, thyroid, arteries of the neck (carotids), uterus, bladder, ovaries and more. They are also be used by physicians during biopsy procedures and surgery. 

The technology was introduced during World War 2 and has been adapted for medical uses. Today tens of millions of Ultrasound scans are done every year. Here are some commonly ordered Ultrasound scans and the sort of disease they are tailored to look for:

• US Abdomen -- cirrhosis, tumors, gallbladder stones
• US Pelvis -- fibroids, pregnancy, ovarian tumors, cysts
  
• US Carotids -- atherosclerotic disease
• US Kidneys -- kidney stones, tumors, infection and blockage (hyrodnephrosis)

What to do before your Ultrasound scan:

It helps to be prepared in advance of your appointment time. You will need to get a Radiology referral or prescription from your doctor. Check to make sure the facility you choose takes your insurance plan and your plan. Get preparation instructions from the facility’s staff in advance. Although you should follow your doctor’s advice, you can choose a local imaging center to perform your Ultrasound test. Our Radiology Search tool will help you find a Radiology center and learn more about your local imaging services (if you don’t find an imaging center in your area, please let us know).

What to expect during and after your Ultrasound scan:

• The Ultrasound scan appointment may take up to 1 hour. Plan accordingly.
• You may be required to fast overnight or drinks lots of water before the test (please check with the imaging center in advance).
• Ultrasound uses gel that is placed on the skin, so wear loose comfortable clothing.
• You may need to take a film or CD copy of your Ultrasound scan to your doctor.
• A physician Radiologist will interpret the Ultrasound. A report is sent to your doctor.