Types of Ultrasound Exams

Ultrasound imaging can be used to examine many different parts of the body. Your physician may recommend an ultrasound to help diagnose a condition, monitor a known problem, or guide a procedure.

At Washington Health Outpatient Imaging Center, ultrasound exams are interpreted by board-certified radiologists. Your radiologist’s findings are included in a report that is sent to your referring physician.

Abdominal ultrasound

An abdominal ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of organs and blood vessels in your abdomen. It can examine the:

• Liver
• Gallbladder and bile ducts
• Kidneys
• Pancreas
• Spleen
• Abdominal aorta and other blood vessels

Obstetrical ultrasound

During pregnancy, an obstetrical ultrasound can help your referring physician monitor your pregnancy and your baby’s development. Depending on your stage of pregnancy and your individual needs, an ultrasound may be used to:

• Confirm a pregnancy and check for a heartbeat
• Estimate how far along you are
• Monitor your baby’s growth and development
• Check your baby’s position and the location of the placenta
• Identify multiple pregnancies, such as twins
• Check the amount of amniotic fluid
• Evaluate the cervix
• Assess your baby’s well-being

Pelvic ultrasound

A pelvic ultrasound creates images of organs and structures in the pelvis. It can be used to examine the:

• Uterus
• Cervix
• Endometrium, or lining of the uterus
• Ovaries
• Fallopian tubes
• Bladder

Breast ultrasound

A breast ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of breast tissue. Your referring physician may recommend a breast ultrasound to evaluate a lump or other breast changes found during an exam. It can also provide more information about an area seen on a mammogram or MRI.

Scrotal ultrasound

A scrotal ultrasound creates images of the testicles, epididymis, and surrounding tissues. It can help your referring physician evaluate lumps, swelling, pain, or other changes in the scrotum.

Thyroid ultrasound

A thyroid ultrasound creates detailed images of the thyroid gland and can help evaluate thyroid nodules. Your referring physician may recommend this exam to look for nodules, monitor changes in an existing nodule, or determine whether a nodule has features that may require further testing, such as a biopsy.

Vascular ultrasound

Vascular ultrasound uses sound waves to evaluate blood vessels and blood flow. Different types of vascular ultrasound can help identify conditions that affect the veins and arteries.

Carotid ultrasound examines the carotid arteries in your neck. It can help identify narrowing or blockages that may increase your risk of stroke.

Venous ultrasound evaluates blood flow through your veins and can help detect blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Arterial ultrasound examines blood flow through your arteries and can help identify plaque, narrowing or other changes that may affect circulation.

Ultrasound-guided procedures

Ultrasound can also help your radiologist guide certain procedures. During an ultrasound-guided biopsy, your radiologist uses real-time ultrasound images to guide a needle to an area that needs to be examined. A small sample of tissue or cells can then be collected and sent to a laboratory for testing.

Ultrasound may be used to guide biopsies of areas such as the breast, thyroid, lymph nodes, liver or kidneys.

Ultrasound can also help guide drainage procedures, including drainage of fluid from the abdomen, chest or an abscess.