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Ultrasound tests use sound waves to create images of the internal organs. Abdominal aortic ultrasounds are usually ordered to evaluate the size of the aorta to look for aneurysms (enlargement). The aorta is the main artery from your heart that carries blood throughout your body - sort of like a main highway with many branches coming off of it. It is roughly divided into two parts:

Thoracic aorta - in your chest, can be evaluated with CT and MRI

Abdominal aorta  - in your abdomen, can be evaluated with US, CT, or MRI

In the abdominal aorta picture to the right, the aorta is the red tubular structure. The magnified picture shows a normal aorta and one with an aneurysm.

Over time your aorta can enlarge in size and form what is called an  abdominal aortic aneurysm. The walls of the aneurysm are weak and can rupture causing life threatening bleeding into your abdomen. Symptoms include a pulsing mass in the middle of your  abdomen, a bruit (noisy flow) heard using a stethoscope, pain or rectal bleeding, sudden loss of consciousness or cardiac arrest. Once the aneurysm gets to a certain size the risk of rupture becomes significant and the aneurysm is repaired.

Like any other arteries in the body, the abdominal aorta can develop atherosclerosis which can cause aortic stenosis. Stenosis simply means narrowing. Significant stenosis can slow the flow of blood in the aorta impairing circulation to your legs for example. Some patients with significant atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta may need to have a bypass surgery to restore adequate blood flow to the legs.  

Your doctor's order may read "r/o aneurysm" or "pulsatile mass", "h/o atherosclerosis"

(FYI "r/o" stands for rule out, and "h/o" for history of)

Below are some common indications for abdominal aorta ultrasounds.

•  Screening for aneurysm for patients with medical conditions such diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure  which increase the risk of developing an abdominal aorta aneurysm
• Evaluate for an aneurysm if a pulsatile mass is felt on a physical exam
• Known abdominal aortic aneurysm and the scan is being done to check for any change in size of the aneurysm
• Evaluate the aorta because of a bruit (rushing, whistling noise) of the abdominal aorta heard during a physical exam

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 up or remove your shirt.
5. He or she will place a a warmed gel solution over the skin of your abdomen.
6. The technologist will use an ultrasound probe and glide it over the abdomen and take pictures.
7. The technologist may ask the Radiologist doctor to review the scan before you leave.
8. An official report is generated by the Radiologist in about 24-48 hours.

If you are insured abdominal aortic 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 an abdominal aorta ultrasound? What was it like? Please leave your comments below:

Ultrasound tests use sound waves to create images of the internal organs. Breast ultrasounds are frequently ordered to evaluate new breast masses, cysts, nodules or suspicious findings on a mammogram. They can also be used to follow up unusual mammographic findings that are not clearly cancerous over time or help in breast tissue biopsies.

In the breast ultrasound picture to the right, the breast tissue is the gray speckled tissue around the black "hole". The "hole" is a cyst filled with fluid.

Many breast ultrasound exams are ordered during or after a mammogram. On occasion, when a mammogram does not show a lump that you or your doctor felt, ultrasound is used to further examine the tissue.

Your doctor's order may read "r/o nodule", "r/o tumor" or "follow up mammogram", for example.

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

Remember if you are going for a breast ultrasound be sure to bring your mammogram films (most recent and previous) with reports if you had these done at a different facility.

Below are some common uses for breast ultrasounds.

• Examine new nodules felt during a physical exam
• Evaluate for suddenly growing nodules of the breast
  
• Evaluate suspicious findings on a mammogram such as a nodule, mass or scarring
• Follow up nodules or cysts that are not clearly cancerous
• Use ultrasound to help guide a biopsy of a breast mass or drain a cyst

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.  Be sure to have your mammogram with you if it was done at a different facility.
2. An ultrasound technician will perform the test.
3. The technologist will ask you to remove your shirt, bra and change into a gown.
4. Once the technologist returns, you will lie down on a bed/gurney.
5. He or she will place a a warmed gel solution over the skin of your breast.
6. The technologist will use an ultrasound probe and glide it over the breast and take pictures.
7. The technologist may ask the Radiologist doctor to review the scan before you leave.
8. An official report is generated by the Radiologist in about 24-48 hours.

If you are insured breast ultrasounds are covered. However, for uninsured patients these tests can be quite expensive. You can expect to pay anywhere between $150 to $300 for this test.

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

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. Kidney and bladder ultrasounds are frequently ordered to evaluate the organs of the genitourinary system which include the kidney, ureters, and bladder.

Your doctor's order may read "r/o kidney stones", "hematuria" (blood in urine) or "renal disease", "flank pain" for example.

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

Below are some common indications for an kidney and bladder ultrasounds.

• Look for kidney infection (pyelonephritis) or injury.
  
• Look for kidney tumors such as renal cell cancer, angiomyolipoma.
• Evaluate the  kidney for disease and failure.
• Evaluate the kidney for stones that can cause flank (side) pain or blood in the urine.
• Look for ureteral blockages from stones, tumors or scarring.
  
• Look for an bladder stones, tumors, or infection that can cause pain and blood in the urine.

Kidney ultrasounds are also used to help kidney specialists (nephrologists) guide biopsy needles when tissue is needed for a definitive diagnosis in renal failure. They are also used to look for bladder urine retention.

Below is a brief outline of the procedure.

1. You will be asked to drink water to fill up your bladder.
   
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 mid back 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 flanks and upper pelvis while taking pictures.
8. You may be asked to sit up for a part of the test to get better pictures of the kidneys.
9. You may also be asked to void your bladder and then return back to the ultrasound room for "post-void" images.
10. The technologist may ask the Radiologist doctor to review the scan before you leave.
11. An official report is generated by the Radiologist in about 24-48 hours.

If you are insured kidney and bladder ultrasounds are covered. However, for uninsured patients these tests can be quite expensive. These tests can cost anywhere between $200 and $500.

Have you had a Kidney and Bladder ultrasound? What was it like? Please leave your comments below

Ultrasound tests use sound waves to create images of the internal organs. Abdominal ultrasounds are frequently ordered to evaluate the organs of the abdomen which include the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, and vessels such as the aorta and IVC Below are some common indications for an abdominal ultrasound.

• Look for liver cirrhosis, infection and tumors.
• Evaluate the gallbladder for stones, inflammation (cholecystitis) for polyps or tumors of the gallbladder that may cause abdominal pain.
  
• Evaluate parts of the pancreas that are seen by ultrasound for large tumors and inflammation.
• Look for kidney stones, blockages (hydronephrosis), tumors, cysts which can cause abdominal pain.
• Look for an enlarged spleen, tumors or cysts of the spleen.
• Rule out abdominal aortic aneurysms (ballooning of the aorta).
• Check for fluid in the abdomen which can be seen in cirrhosis, infection or injury.

Abdominal ultrasounds are also used to look for pyloric stenosis in young infants (causes projectile vomiting). It is used as a guide to biopsy tumors of the liver, kidneys and other nearby tissues.

Below is a brief outline of the procedure.

1. You will be asked to fast for at least 6 hours (so the gallbladder is full - it empties if you eat before the test and makes it very hard to evaluate).
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.
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. You may be asked to sit up for a part of the test to get better images of the gallbladder or kidneys.
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 abdominal ultrasounds are covered. However, for uninsured patients these tests can be quite expensive. You can expect to pay anywhere between $250 and $800 for this test.

Have you had an Abdominal 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.