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Ultrasound, also known as sonography or ultrasonography,
is a medical diagnostic procedure that uses sound waves to
create an image of the internal organs, such as the abdomen
or a developing fetus.
This safe and painless procedure, which involves no radiation,
can produce better images of some body structures than an
X-ray and can detect some conditions earlier than other methods.
Generally, anyone can have an ultrasound without negative
effects.
How you will be instructed to prepare for the exam depends
on the part of the body to be examined. Preparations may
include: drinking a quart of water, eating a fat-free dinner
the previous evening, or avoiding smoking or chewing gum
just before the exam.
After the ultrasound technologist applies a gel to the skin
over the area to be imaged, a handheld instrument, called
a transducer, is placed against the body and moved back and
forth across the examination area.
The transducer produces sound waves that strike the body
organs. The organs send echoes back to the transducer. The
echoes are changed into electrical energy by the transducer,
and the energy shows up as an image on a TV monitor.
The technologist may ask you to turn from side to side or
perhaps to hold your breath. It is important to follow instructions
carefully.
The procedure generally takes about 30 minutes to complete.
You may be slightly uncomfortable with a full bladder, which
is needed to perform the exam, but the technologist will
work as quickly as possible without compromising image quality.
After the examination is interpreted by the radiologist,
a written report will be sent to your physician.
, please contact the ultrasound
coordinator at 732-923-6813, the chief technologist at
732-923-6800, or the medical physicist at 732-923-6811.
Click
here for the informational brochure (pdf),
available as a PDF (portable document format) file.
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