Types of Ultrasound Exams

At the Washington Health Outpatient Imaging Center, the US exams are interpreted by board certified radiologist’s. Reports are generated and sent to the referring physician. US scans can be done of many different organs in the body. Below is a brief description of some common areas that are evaluated by US scans.

• Abdominal US is performed to evaluate the kidneys, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, spleen, abdominal aorta and other blood vessels of the abdomen.
• Obstetrical US is a useful clinical test to establish the presence of a living embryo/fetus. Estimate the age of the pregnancy, diagnose congenital abnormalities of the fetus evaluate the position of the fetus and placenta, determine multiple pregnancies, determine the amount of amniotic fluid around the baby, check for opening or shortening of the cervix, assess fetal growth, assess fetal well-being.
• Pelvic US is performed to evaluate the uterus, cervix, endometrium, ovaries, fallopian tubes and bladder.
• Breast US is performed to help diagnose breast abnormalities detected during a physical exam. These may include a lump or spontaneous bloody/clear nipple discharge. US is also used to characterize potential abnormalities seen on mammography or MRI.
• Scrotum US is the primary imaging method used to evaluate disorders of the testicles, epididymis and scrotum.
• Thyroid US is used to analyze the appearance of thyroid nodules and determine if they are more common benign nodule or if the nodule has features that require a biopsy. To look for additional nodules in patients with one or more nodules felt on physical exam, to see if a thyroid nodule has substantially grown over time.
• Carotid US is most frequently performed to detect narrowing, or stenosis of the vessel, a condition that substantially increases the risk of stroke.
• Venous US is used to detect blood clots in superficial veins and deep vein thrombosis, also known as DVT, in the deep venous system.
• Arterial US is used to detect plaque, narrowing, or stenosis in the arterial system 

Other uses for a US  

US is also used for guided procedures such as needle biopsies, in which the Radiologist places a needle in the specific organ and remove cells from an abnormal area for laboratory testing. Some of the organs are breast, thyroid, lymph nodes, renal, liver. US is also used for drainages, such as paracentesis, thoracentesis, and abscess drainage.