What Is an Ultrasound?
Ultrasound is a medical exam that uses high-frequency sound waves to create moving images of your internal organs. The waves are emitted from a special tool called a transducer placed against your skin. As the sound waves bounce off your bones and organs, they're recorded by the transducer and transmitted to a computer, where they're transformed into medical images.
What is a 3D Ultrasound?
A 3D ultrasound creates a three dimensional image of your baby. The technologiost takes several 2D ultrasounds from different angles around your stomach and then combines them in a compurer to form a 3D model. 3D ultrasounds not only provide doctors with vital information about your baby's health, they also give parents their first look at their child's face. If you would like to schedule a 3D ultrasound in Glendale, please visit our appointments page.
When Is Ultrasound Used?
Ultrasounds to monitor and diagnose a wide range of medical conditions. Pregnant women receive regular ultrasounds to assess their baby's health and check for abnormalities during pregnancy, but they have many functions beyond that. Ultrasounds can be used to assess a patient's organs, including the liver, kidneys, thyroid, breast, and pancreas. They're used to evaluate tumors, examine bone structure, and to guide doctors during interventional radiology procedures, such as an angioplasty or breast biopsy.
What Happens During an Ultrasound?
When you arrive at the ultrasound center, you'll be shown into the examination room and asked to lie down. Because the transducer has to be placed directly against your skin, you may be asked to wear a medical gown during the exam. To make it easier to slide the transducer over your skin, the technologist will apply a thin layer of gel over the area being scanned. Ultrasounds can take up to an hour, depending on what what type of exam is being administered.
What Happens During an Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy?
Ultrasound guided breast biopsies are used to locate tumors inside a woman's breast and remove a small sample for analysis. Before the exam starts, you'll be asked to lie down on the exam table and while the radiologist applies some local anesthetic to prevent discomfort. Once it has taken effect, the radiologist will use the transducer to locate the tumor and then insert the needle, using the ultrasound image to guide them. The radiologist will use the needle to remove a small portion of the tumor and then retract it. A small marker will be placed on the biopsy site, in case the patient needs a follow-up exam. Ultrasound guided breast biopsies take roughly an hour to complete. A pathologist working with the ultrasound clinic will analyze the tissue sample and contact you with the results.
What Are the Benefits and Risks of an Ultrasound?
An ultrasound is a painless and non-invasive method of scanning body tissues that don't show up well on an X-ray. There is no radiation involved and there are no health risks.
How Do You Schedule an Ultrasound Exam?
If you're interested in scheduling an ultrasound in Glendale, please enter your contact information on our appointments page.