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ULTRASOUND
We are happy to announce that the Ultrasound Department
at all three of the Cambridge Health Alliance campuses received
the highly competitive Accreditation from the American College
of Radiology with the highest scores possible! Congratulations
to our outstanding team!
What
is ultrasound and how does it work?
What is it like to have an ultrasound?
How do I prepare for an ultrasound?
How do I make an appointment?
Referral information for physicians.
Additional
information on Ultrasound.
What
is ultrasound and how does it work?
Ultrasound
uses high-frequency sound waves to create pictures of the body.
It works using a transducer, which sends sound waves into your body
and collects them after they bounce off tissues. A computer collects
these sound waves and creates an image of the tissues. Doctors look
at these images to be sure that the body is working like it should.
Ultrasound
exams are used on many different parts of the body.
For
women only:
- Pregnancy-related
ultrasounds:
- Obstetric
Ultrasound - to see a developing fetus
- Sonahysterogram
- looks at the uterus for things that could complicate pregnancy
- Amniocentesis
- checks fetal development and potential genetic diseases (ultrasound
is used to guide the needle that takes fluid from the uterus
during pregnancy that is later tested)
- Breast
Ultrasound - examines suspicious areas found during a mammogram
or for a palpable lump that has been found
For
everyone:
- Abdominal
Ultrasound
- Carotid
Ultrasound - looks at blood vessels in the neck to check blood
flow
- Pelvic
Ultrasound - looks at the bladder, reproductive system, and other
pelvic organs
- Venous
Ultrasound - looks for bloodclots and other abnormalities in the
legs
- Ultrasound-guided
biopsy - takes a tissue sample from specific sites in the body
for testing
For
children:
- Pediatric
Ultrasound - checks for potential health problems in young children
What is it like to have an ultrasound?
Ultrasound
is a painless, non-invasive test. A technologist spreads a layer
of gel over the part of the body to be examined. The gel helps conduct
the sound waves. The technologist then moves the transducer back
and forth over the body. Images are viewed in black and white on
a nearby screen. Depending on the reason for the test, it may take
20-60 minutes.
The
radiologist, who is a doctor, will check to make sure the ultrasound
images are usable. You'll usually be able to leave right after the
test, and the images will be sent to your doctor.
How
do I prepare for an ultrasound?
You
usually do not need to do anything special. If you are having an
abdominal ultrasound, you should not eat or drink within eight hours
of the appointment. For pelvic ultrasounds of the bladder, you should
drink 32 to 40 ounces of water before the procedure. When your appointment
is set up, your doctor can tell you what you will need to do.
If you have an allergy to latex or may be pregnant, be sure to let
the technologist know when you arrive.
How
do I make an appointment?
You,
or your doctor's office, can make an appointment by calling our
central scheduling office:
Central
Scheduling: 617-665-1298
To
schedule an appointment, you must have a referral order from a primary
care physician.
________________________________
Referral
information for physicians
You
can make a referral for your patients by calling:
Central
Scheduling: 617-665-1298
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