Ultrasound & Color Doppler

What is Ultrasound & Color Doppler?

Ultrasound imaging (also called ultrasound scanning or sonography) is a non-invasive medical examination that uses high frequency sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body. This enables doctors to diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions.

On the other hand, The Color Doppler Ultrasound machine has high-end transducers that capture your blood flow in color, allowing your doctor to quickly spot the aberrations in blood flow caused by tumors, issues in your blood vessels, infections or other harmful abnormalities.

Some of the major advantages of ultrasound include:

It is a simple and non-invasive procedure.
It can show the structure and movement of the body`s internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels in real time.
Side effects are negligible and no radiation is involved.

In What Conditions An Ultrasound is performed?

Mostly ultrasound scans are associated with pregnancy. These scans can provide an expectant mother with the first view of her unborn child. However, the test has many other uses. Your doctor may ask for an ultrasound if you’re having pain, swelling, or other symptoms that require an internal view of your organs. An ultrasound can provide a view of the:

Bladder
Brain (in infants)
Eyes
Gallbladder
Kidneys
Liver
Ovaries
Pancreas
Spleen
Thyroid
Testicles
Uterus
Blood vessels
An ultrasound is also a helpful way to guide surgeons’ movements during certain medical procedures, such as biopsies.

How Should You Prepare for an Ultrasound?

A referral from your doctor is required for an ultrasound examination. Depending on the type of examination you may be asked to fast from food and fluids. Some examinations will require you to drink a specific amount of water prior to arriving so that your bladder is full. You will be advised of the appropriate preparation upon your enquiry.

How It Works?

Ultrasound works similarly to sonar technology, which uses sound waves to detect objects beneath the ocean’s surface. Healthcare professionals called diagnostic medical sonographers are trained to use an ultrasound probe. The probe is a device that emits sound waves.

What to Expect During Ultrasound?

An ultrasound technician (sonographer), will apply a special lubricating jelly to your skin. This prevents friction so they can rub the ultrasound transducer on your skin. The transducer has a similar appearance to a microphone. The jelly also helps transmit the sound waves. The transducer sends high-frequency sound waves through your body. The waves echo as they hit a dense object, such as an organ or bone. Those echoes are then reflected back into a computer. The sound waves are at too high of a pitch for the human ear to hear. They form a picture that can be interpreted by the doctor.

Depending on the area being examined, you may need to change positions so the technician can have better access. After the procedure is done, the gel will be cleaned off your skin.

FAQ

Does Ultrasound create any discomfort?

No it does not.

How is an ultrasound different from an x-ray? Is it harmful?

Ultrasound uses sound waves, and no ionizing radiation, and has no known significant risks.

Who will interpret my Ultrasound? When will my results be available?

Your images will be examined by a certified radiologist who is specialized in using imaging to diagnose disease. A Revere Health radiologist will look at all of the images from your scan and provide your physician a detailed report of the findings, usually within hours of it being completed.