Ultrasound

Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Ultrasound Technology) is a rapidly expanding medical technology that uses high-frequency sound waves to generate images of the body. Sonographers are medical professionals who are focused on patient care and perform ultrasound examinations. While Ultrasound is a powerful diagnostic tool, it also serves as a guidance system, to pinpoint the exact location of an organ for treatment or surgery.

Ultrasound is used for a variety of reasons, including to:

View the uterus and ovaries of a pregnant woman and assess her fetus
Diagnose gallbladder disease
Evaluate flow in blood vessels
Guide a needle for biopsy
Evaluate a breast lump
Check a thyroid gland
Diagnose some cancers

You may be asked to wear a hospital gown. A gel (which wipes off easily) will be applied directly to the skin surface and a series of pictures will be taken of the body part being examined. The Sonographer will be taking pictures and measurements during the test. The test will take between 30-60 minutes to complete.

Please note that all Ultrasound exams are done by appointment only. To book an ultrasound appointment, a signed order must be faxed.

For some ultrasound exams, such as of the abdomen or gallbladder, will not be able to eat or drink after midnight on the evening before the exam. These exams are generally scheduled in the morning.

Other ultrasound exams, such as pelvic or obstetrical, require a full bladder. You must be finished drinking 1-liter of water one hour before the exam and not urinate until the exam is completed.

When scheduling your ultrasound, you will be informed of any preparation for your exam.

The Ultrasound images will be sent to a radiologist who will analyze them. Your doctor will receive the results in approximately seven – 10 days, and discuss them with you. Please note that the person conducting the test will not be able to give you the results of your test. Only a doctor, primary care provider, or specialist can provide you with that information

Resources

Radiological Society of North America
http://www.radiologyinfo.org

Canadian Association of Radiologists
http://www.car.ca

American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
http://www.aium.org/

Location

Diagnostic Imaging Department
Level 1, Norman Building
Bluewater Health
89 Norman Street, Sarnia, ON N7T 6S3

Diagnostic Imaging Department
Level 1
Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital of Bluewater Health, Petrolia
450 Blanche Street
Petrolia, Ontario N0N 1R0