Ultrasound
Diagnostic Ultrasound is a medical procedure that uses sound waves to see inside the body.
No ionizing radiation (x-ray) is used in ultrasound imaging.
A painless procedure, the sound waves pass harmlessly through the skin and
bounce off certain organs and tissues in the body creating "echoes." These
echoes are reflected through a transducer to a computer monitor, producing
images of the targeted organ, such as gallbladder, kidneys, liver,
thyroid or pancreas.
Ultrasound is used in obstetrical diagnostic studies, as well as studies involving the breast, abdomen and pelvis, thyroid gland, carotid arteries, and various peripheral vascular studies. Vein imaging can detect blood clots, and studies of the carotid arteries can reveal plaque formation, a major cause of stroke. If you have a family history of strokes, or if you are a smoker, ask your doctor about a Carotid Ultrasound.
We can now offer 4-D ultrasound imaging for expectant mothers. Images are often best between 27-34 weeks.