Ultrasound

Health Resources:

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to evaluate organs in the body and commonly to examine fetal development. Detailed images are returned in real time, making ultrasound particularly helpful for guiding minimally invasive procedures—such as needle biopsies—and for visualizing organ, blood vessel and tissue movement.

At NLMC, the Department of Radiology comes complete with 2 GE Logic 9 sonograms- for double the convenience when you need it the most- all accredited with the American College of Radiology.

Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning or sonography, involves exposing part of the body to high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. Ultrasound exams do not use ionizing radiation (as used in x-rays). Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can show the structure and movement of the body's internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels.

Ultrasound imaging is a non-invasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.

An ultrasound produces a picture of the organs and other structures throughout the body.

Ultrasound examinations can help to diagnose a variety of conditions and to assess organ damage following illness.

Ultrasound is used to help physicians evaluate symptoms such as:

• pain
• swelling
• infection

Ultrasound is a useful way of examining many of the body's internal organs, including but not limited to the:

• heart and blood vessels, including the abdominal aorta and its major branches
• liver
• gallbladder
• spleen
• pancreas
• kidneys
• bladder
• uterus, ovaries, and unborn child (fetus) in pregnant patients
• thyroid and parathyroid glands
• scrotum (testicles)

Ultrasound is also used to:

• guide procedures such as needle biopsies, in which needles are used to extract sample cells from an abnormal area for laboratory testing.
• image the breasts and to guide biopsy of breast cancer
• diagnose a variety of heart conditions and to assess damage after a heart attack or other illness.

Doppler Ultrasound is a special ultrasound technique that evaluates blood as it flows through a blood vessel, including the body's major arteries and veins in the abdomen, arms, legs and neck.

Doppler Ultrasound images can help the physician to see and evaluate:

• blockages to blood flow (such as clots)
• narrowing of vessels (which may be caused by plaque)
• tumors and congenital malformation

With knowledge about the speed and volume of blood flow gained from a Doppler ultrasound image, the physician can often determine whether a patient is a good candidate for a procedure like angioplasty.

Further information about Ultrasound, including ways to prepare for the examination, can be obtained by calling Sheri Burns, NLMC Director of Radiology at 318-254-2461 or by logging on to http://www.radiologyinfo.org.

If you are a physician, in need of scheduling a patient, please call Central Scheduling at 318-254-2791.