Clarksville Imaging Center provides Phillips Ultrasonography. Our Ultrasound technologist has acquired advanced level certifications in Abdomen, Obstetric, Gynecologic and Vascular Ultrasonography
What is an Ultrasound?
Ultrasound or ultrasonography is a medical technique that uses sound waves and their echoes to form two dimensional images. These sound waves travel into your body and are reflected by different tissues and organs back to the ultrasound probe. The technique is similar to SONAR used by submarines.
How should I prepare for an Ultrasound?
Some ultrasound studies require you to drink water to fill your bladder so that we can use the bladder to aim our sound waves through. This will allow us to see the uterus and ovaries. With ultrasound of the abdomen, we will ask you not to eat or drink after midnight to cut down on gas and allow the gallbladder to relax and open up.
What happens during an Ultrasound Examination?
For an ultrasound exam, you go into a room with a technician and the ultrasound machine. The following happens:
- You remove your clothes over the area of interest
- The ultrasonographer drapes a cloth over any exposed areas that are not needed for the exam.
- The ultrasonographer applies a mineral oil-based jelly to your skin. This jelly eliminates air between the probe and your skin to help pass the sound waves into your body.
- He/She passes the probe over you skin to obtain the required images.
- You may be asked to change positions to get better looks at the area of interest.
- After the images have been acquired and measurements taken, the data is stored on disk.
Does Ultrasound hurt?
No. Ultrasound uses only a smooth probe and gel so the probe can move over your skin easily.
What parts of the body can be seen by Ultrasound?
Ultrasound must have solid tissue to project the sound waves through (i.e. fluid, bloods, solid organs and tissue). Several organs are demonstrated by using ultrasound: Thyroid, Liver, Pancreas, Kidneys, Gallbladder, Spleen, Uterus, Ovaries, Breast and Scrotum.
Can Ultrasound find blood clots?
Yes. Ultrasound uses a technique called Doppler Ultrasound. Doppler Ultrasound is used to measure the rate of blood flow through the major arteries. Color Doppler can show the blood flow and any blockages in major veins and arteries.