What A
Person Experiences, What to Expect During an Ultrasound Study
Most ultrasound examinations are
similar.
1. Patient preparation involves
removing any articles of clothing or jewelry surrounding the area to be imaged. In some
cases, the patient may be asked to wear a patient gown.
2. The patient is positioned by the
technologist on an examination table. A clear gel (which helps "connect" the
ultrasound transducer to the skin) is applied to the area to be examined, for example the
abdomen
3. The technologist then brings the
transducer into contact with the skin and sweeps it back and forth to image the area of
interest (e.g the fetal baby). The patient is simply required to relax and stay calm
during the examination.
4. The technologist will ask the
patient to get dressed and wait while the ultrasound images are reviewed, either on film
or a TV monitor. In many cases, the technologist or physician reviews the ultrasound
images in real time as they are acquired.
5. After the ultrasound images are
reviewed, the patient will be released from the imaging department or center. In some
cases, more images will need to be taken. For more information see "
How Does
Ultrasound Work?
In the 1960's, the principles of sonar
(developed extensively by the Defense Department during the second world war) were applied
to medical diagnostic imaging. The ultrasound process involves placing a small device
called a transducer, against the skin of the patient near the region of interest, for
example, against the back to image the kidneys. The ultrasound transducer combines
functions like a stereo loudspeaker and a microphone in one device: it can transmit sound
and receive sound. This transducer produces a stream of inaudible, high frequency sound
waves which penetrate into the body and bounce off the organs inside. The transducer
detects sound waves as they bounce off or echo back from the internal structures and
contours of the organs. Different tissues reflect these sound waves differently, causing a
signature which can be measured and transformed into an image. These waves are received by
the ultrasound machine and turned into live pictures with the use of computers and
reconstruction software.
Color ultrasound image of the kidney
