How is the ultrasound exam performed?
You will be asked to change into a patient gown prior to your exam. Ultrasound imaging is painless easy and relatively fast. The part of your body being scanned depends on the exam requested by your physician. You will be asked to lie on an exam table and the technologist (sonographer) will spread a lubricant gel on your skin and then press a hand held transducer firmly against your skin on the areas of the requested exam. The gel helps the transducer,(the device that sends sound waves into your body) to make secure contact with your skin and eliminate any air pockets. The transducer is moved back and forth until the desired images are acquired. You will be asked to hold your breath for brief periods of time so that high quality motion free images can be obtained. You may feel some be slight discomfort from pressure as the sonographer guides the transducer over your abdomen, especially if you are required to have a full bladder. The examination takes an average of 30 minutes and you will be able to immediately resume your pre-examination activities.