An ultrasound test is a safe and painless method of creating pictures of an organ or fetus using high frequency sound waves.  You cannot feel or hear the sound waves.  After you lay on a soft table, an ultrasound technologist will apply a warm lotion and then move a hand held wand over your skin to create ultrasound pictures.  Following the test, the IMI radiologists will study the pictures and dictate a report that is sent to your doctor.

Abdominal ultrasound tests include images of the solid upper abdominal organs such as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, aorta, and spleen.  These tests require that you not eat, drink, or smoke anything for 6 hours prior to the test.  These exams usually take about 30 - 45 minutes to complete.

Pelvic and obstetric ultrasound tests to see the bladder, kidneys, ovaries, uterus, or fetus will require you to drink 32 oz of water 1 hour prior to the test to fill your bladder.  During obstetric ultrasounds, the technologist can print several pictures of your baby and can attempt to determine the sex of the baby.  These tests may take up to an hour.

Ultrasound can also examine some blood vessels such as the carotid arteries for plaque buildup and the leg veins for blood clots.