Ultrasound

Ultrasounds, also called sonography, use high-frequency sounds waves to produce accurate, moving images.

They can be used to show the structure and movement of the body's internal organs, even blood flow. Unlike x-rays, an ultrasound does not use ionizing radiation.

BayCare Clinic's radiology team offers the most advanced ultrasound technology. Our highly advanced ultrasound imaging tools include color Doppler, cine imaging, and electronic network capabilities.

The advantages of ultrasound technology include:

• Ultrasound equipment is portable (no need to move fragile patients)
• Ultrasound scans are noninvasive (no needles or injections) and painless
• No ionizing radiation
• Provides clear, high-resolution images of soft tissues that don't show up well on x-ray exams
• Causes no health problems and can be repeated as often as medically necessary without harm to the patient
• Ultrasounds are less expensive than other medical imaging

Obstetrical Ultrasounds

An obstetrical ultrasound, or fetal ultrasound, provides pictures of an embryo, or fetus within a woman's uterus. It also provides images of the mother's uterus and ovaries.

An obstetrical ultrasound scan can be used to establish the presence of a living embryo and assess fetal well-being. Other uses for an ultrasound during pregnancy include:

• Estimating the age of a pregnancy
• Determining if multiple pregnancies are present
• Evaluating the size and position of a fetus
• Diagnosing fetal abnormalities
• Evaluating the position of the placenta
• Determining the amount of amniotic fluid around the baby

Whole Body Diagnosis

Ultrasound scans are also used to evaluate conditions throughout the body. They can be used to evaluate many of the body's internal organs including the heart and blood vessels, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, bladder, thyroid and more.

Ultrasound is also used during some breast biopsies to guide the needle insertion, particularly when the abnormality is too small to be felt by hand.