An ultrasound can create images of organs, bodily structures, and tissues.
It is usually noninvasive and does not use radiation.
The images produced by ultrasound testing are called sonograms.
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Pregnancy
A pregnancy ultrasound produces an image of the fetus to monitor growth and development.
An ultrasound test can detect some genetic and non-genetic conditions and developmental variations.
It can also show the fetus’s size, position, and heart rate.
Most pregnant people have an ultrasound test between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy.
If yourpregnancyis considered high-risk, your provider may recommend more frequent ultrasounds.
Diagnosis
A diagnostic ultrasound produces images inside the body to detect certain health conditions.
An ultrasound can diagnose health conditions that involve soft tissues like organs, blood vessels, and glands.
The ultrasound can provide an image of the area of concern.
Healthcare providers may use ultrasound technology to guide aneedle biopsyto remove fluid or tissue.
An ultrasound can help guide the needle to the correct area of the body.
Therapeutic
Atherapeutic ultrasounduses sound waves to interact with the tissues in the body.
It does not provide images.
It is used to treat certain health conditions.
Physical therapists may use therapeutic ultrasound to provide pain relief or treat inflammation.
An echo is produced when body tissues reflect the sound waves emitted by the transducer.
The transducer detects the sound waves in the echo to create images.
The length of the test depends on the reason for the procedure.
Most ultrasounds are conducted in a medical office, clinic, or hospital setting.
A sonographer or ultrasound technician often performs the test.
This technician has special training in performing ultrasound exams, but they do not interpret results.
A healthcare provider may also be able to perform an ultrasound and interpret its results.
You will likely be asked to lie on an exam table.
Your position may depend on which area of the body is being examined.
The technician will spread a special gel on your skin.
This gel is needed to prevent air pockets and to transmit sound waves.
During the exam, the ultrasound tech will look at images on a monitor.
Once the exam is complete, the provider will wipe the gel off your skin.
After an ultrasound, you could drive yourself home with no restrictions.
Many ultrasounds are noninvasive.
However, an invasive ultrasound may feel uncomfortable.
For an abdomen ultrasound, your provider may recommend fasting (not eating) for up to 12 hours.
Ultrasound Results
Your healthcare provider will explain your ultrasound results after your exam.
They may share results with you during the exam, depending on what they see on the monitor.
The results of a pregnancy ultrasound can tell you if the fetus is developing and growing as expected.
Abnormal results may indicate that you need further testing or more specialized care.
Your healthcare provider will explain your results and what they mean.
During an ultrasound test, feel free to ask your technician questions.
An ultrasound technician performs an ultrasound test using a tool called a transducer.
This tool emits sound waves that bounce off of the bodys tissues.
The transducer also detects the echos this bounce creates to produce images.
A healthcare provider may recommend ultrasound testing for many reasons.
All pregnant people receive one or more ultrasounds to monitor the fetuss growth and development.
Ultrasound tests are performed on an outpatient basis.
They do not use radiation and are often painless.
However, some ultrasounds may feel uncomfortable.
Talk with your healthcare provider about your ultrasound results and what they mean.
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American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.How to become a sonographer.
