What to Expect? Local Diagnostic Ultrasound Near Me

What to Expect day of Local Diagnostic Ultrasound:

Getting a clear view of the process procedure timing and results can help relieve a lot of the worries about a new type of imaging service. Please carry-on reading to learn more about our local Sunnyvale diagnostic ultrasound imaging services.

Preparing for Local Diagnostic Ultrasound Near Me:

Diagnostic Ultrasound scans are relatively simple procedures, and good preparation can make it easier and faster an experience. Please observe the below as a general address of preparing for diagnostic ultrasound services in Sunnyvale.

General Tips

There really is not too much general preparation for a diagnostic ultrasound exam outside of following your healthcare provider’s instructions regarding consumption of food and water. Before most examinations and procedures patients are often requested to refrain from eating or drinking several hours prior to the procedure.

The reason for this is because undigested food can sometimes block or interrupt sound waves from being distributed evenly and giving accurate imaging readings. In some instances depending on the type of diagnosis required, a patient may be asked to drink large amounts of water or hold off on urination as a full bladder can make it easier to visualize organs in the pelvic area for instance.

Other common tips for preparing for a diagnostic ultrasound procedure:

• Always make sure the imaging technicians are aware of any allergies you might have toward common materials with the imaging equipment such as latex that is used on the probe head.
• Some scans require removal of certain clothing. Dress in loose fitting clothing that is comfortable.
• Jewelry is always a problem for imaging services refrain from metals and jewelry of any kind.
• Make sure your position is aware ahead of time of all the over the counter or herbal supplements that you might be taking prior to having being sent off for imaging and diagnosis.

Asking your physician the right questions prior to diagnostic ultrasound procedure is most important:

• What is diagnostic imaging for and what are you hoping to learn from my results?
• Are there any risks or potential complications associated with this procedure given my specific personal health?
• What should the qualifications of the technician who is performing the test be?
• How would I get answers on the results afterwards and who will give them to me?

Below are some additional resources on diagnostic ultrasound services:

• American Cancer Society, Breast Ultrasound
• Journal of the American College of Radiology, “Impact of Second-Opinion Interpretation of Breast Imaging Studies in Patients Not Currently Diagnosed With Breast Cancer”
• Mayo Clinic Ultrasound

Common reasons for diagnostic ultrasound imaging services:

Diagnostic ultrasound is most commonly used for the following conditions but can be used for many others:

• Evaluate blood flow
• Examine a breast lump
• Assess joint inflammation (synovitis)
• Evaluate metabolic bone disease
• Check your thyroid gland
• Detect genital and prostate problems
• View the uterus and ovaries during pregnancy and monitor the developing baby’s health
• Diagnose gallbladder disease
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
• Carotid Artery Disease Screening
• Abdominal Ultrasound
• Male & Female Pelvis
• Thyroid Ultrasound
• Renal
• Liver
• Upper and Lower Extremities
• DVT
• General OBGYN

Resources for How Diagnostic Ultrasound Works:

Most basically sound waves bounce back and forth from the transducer, gathering information to create a visual of the area being diagnosed.

Ultrasound: From Mayo Clinic, this resource provides a summary of ultrasound tests and patient procedural expectations.

Ultrasound Imaging: From the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a grouping of information for ultrasound practitioners, healthcare providers, and diagnostic ultrasound patients. Also providing an overview of the technology used.

Understanding Sonography: a resource from the society of diagnostic medical sonography that gives an overview of conditions that can be diagnosed using ultrasound, as well as a broad history of the diagnostic ultrasound world.

The following segment on procedure and results is taken from Advent Health University

Procedure

For external ultrasounds, the sonographer applies a water-based gel to the area that is being scanned. The gel allows the transducer to move easily back and forth to capture an image. The gel also prevents air pockets that could block the sound waves that are being used. External ultrasound scans are usually not painful, and patients typically experience no discomfort. (One exception is pregnant women who are asked to maintain a full bladder for the exam.)

For internal ultrasounds, the transducer is placed in a man’s rectum or a woman’s vagina, if the urinary system or reproductive organs are being evaluated. For certain examinations of the digestive system (esophagus, chest lymph nodes, stomach) or heart, an endoscope is used that has a light and ultrasound device attached to the end. The endoscope is inserted through the mouth. Patients usually receive medication prior to internal ultrasounds to reduce pain and discomfort.

Patients are asked to lie on their back for internal and external pelvic procedures, or on their side for endoscopic and cardiac procedures. In some cases, patients may receive a contrast agent via injection that makes ultrasound images appear clearer. A typical ultrasound exam lasts 30 minutes to an hour.

Endoscopic ultrasound: This overview of endoscopic ultrasound provided by the Mayo Clinic explains why the procedure is performed, steps to prepare, and associated risks.

Ultrasound – Pelvis: RadiologyInfo, a website developed by the Radiological Society of North America and the American College of Radiology, offers a detailed description of pelvic ultrasounds, including transabdominal, transvaginal, and transrectal procedures.

Results

The timing of ultrasound results depends on the procedure and purpose of the exam. For example, it is common during prenatal scans for doctors to discuss the results during the exam. For purposes such as tumor identification, the doctor may require more time to review the images. It may take a few days to receive results, and the doctor may schedule a meeting to discuss exam findings or schedule a follow-up for more testing. Depending on the exam results, the physician may order a different type of scan (CT, MRI) or take a biopsy sample (tissue sample).

Although there is nothing to fear from an ultrasound exam, it is normal to experience some anxiety about the results of any diagnostic tests. Asking a healthcare provider to address any questions you have before you leave the medical facility can help reduce stress and concern.

Getting a Second Opinion: The American Cancer Society provides advice for talking to your doctor about getting a second opinion and steps to do so.

How to Ease Worry When Waiting for Medical Test Results: This article from Patient.info outlines some strategies for addressing anxiety related to test results.

Visit our services page for more information – Sunnyvale Diagnostic Ultrasound