Ultrasound -Sonography Information Page:

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Ultrasound uses harmless high frequency sound waves that enter the body and bounce off internal organ structures. The returning sound waves are picked up by a transducer and used to create a two dimensional image which may be videotaped or photographed. The pictures are made by placing the transduer on the skin over the organ that is being assessed. Ultrasound is noninvasive, which means that it doesn't hurt and does not use needles or tubes. Another very important use of ultrasound is its ability to differentiate solid tumors from cystic (fluid filled) tumors. The solid tumors need further evaluation and possibly biopsy, while many of the cystic tumors are benign and need no further evaluation. An exception to this is ovarian carcinoma, which forms cystic tumors but these have a characteristic appearance and are usually no problem to detect. Gallbladder Ultrasound is very accurate for the detection of gallstones, which show up as bright echo-dense stones with acoustic shadowing in back of them. It is the first test to examine the gallbladder.

gallbladder sonogram showing stone in neck of gallbladder.

Normal Ultrasound of the upper abdomen showing the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, aorta, inferior vena cava, right kidney

Ultrasound can be used as a localizing tool for placement of drainage tubes and biopsy needles in various organs.

Ultrasound for gestational dating and fetal position: Ultrasound is very useful for examining and measuring the size of the fetus in the uterus which then can be used to estimate gestation age. it also gives information about the placenta, the amnionic fluid and fetal presentation.

Pelvic ultrasound is useful to examine the uterus and adnexal structures. It may show infection, abscess, hydrosalpinx (dilated tubes) fibroids, free fluid, masses, cysts, ectopic gestation etc. Image at left is a pelvic sonogram showing a normal uterus (red arrow).

Ultrasound for deep veins: Color flow doppler ultrasound it very useful in examining the deep veins of the leg to detect thrombus formation (deep venous thrombosis).