Your doctor has requested an ultrasound of your abdomen. Ultrasound is a safe and painless procedure that uses soundwaves to "see" inside your body. The scan can help diagnose such medical conditions a cancer, gallbladder disease, gallstones, as well as problems in the liver, kidneys, pancreas or spleen. At the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center we have an expert team of physicians, nurses and technologists who are highly trained in ultrasound imaging.
You must not eat or drink for eight hours prior to your exam.
We want to make your waiting time as pleasant as possible. Consider bringing your favorite magazine, book or music player to help you pass the time.
Please leave your jewelry and valuables at home.
You will be asked to change into a gown.
A diagnostic medical sonographer will explain your exam and answer any questions you may have.
Your procedure will be performed with you lying flat on your back on the examination table.
The technologist will apply warm gel to the skin of your abdomen. This gel helps the sound waves to get from the machine into your body. It is very similar to hair styling gel.
A transducer, a small, microphone-like device, will be placed over various locations on your abdomen.
Sound waves will bounce off certain organs and tissue in your body. This creates "echoes." The echoes are reflected back to the transducer, which converts them to electronic signals. A computer then processes the signals into pictures and shows them on a television monitor.
These moving images may be viewed immediately, or photographed for further study.
Your exam will take approximately 30 to 60 minutes.
You may resume your regular diet, unless told otherwise by your doctor.
Your study will be reviewed by an imaging physician and the results sent to your doctor. Your doctor will discuss these results with you and explain what they mean in relation to your health.
If you have problems related to your procedure, please call (310) 423-8000.
To request a copy of your images on a CD or film, call (310) 423-8000.
To request a copy of your report, call (310) 423-8000.
