Ultrasound Care
Learn
- Overview
- What It Is
- Reasons For
- Complications
- What to Expect
- Results
- When to Call a Doctor
Ultrasound Details
No special preparation is needed for this test. If you smoke, you may be asked to stop smoking leading up to the test.
Description of TestGel will be placed on the skin of your arm or leg over the area being tested.
There are two types of ultrasound:
One is a simple one-dimensional beam that detects movement by making a swishing sound. A hand-held device is pushed against your skin in the area being tested. Sound waves are sent into the body and bounce back to the machine. This is used to detect blood flow in arteries that may be narrowed. It may also be used to check for blood flow in veins that the doctor is concerned about.
The other technique makes a two-dimensional image. The ultrasound machine has a hand-held instrument called a transducer, which looks like a microphone or wand. The transducer is pushed against your skin where the gel was applied. The transducer sends sound waves into your body. The waves bounce off structures in the body and echo back to the transducer. The echoes are converted to images that are shown on a screen. The doctor examines the images on the screen. He may make a photograph of them as well.
After the TestYou will be able to leave after the test is done.
How Long Will It Take?30-60 minutes
Will It Hurt?No
Learn
 Complications Learn about possible complications and what might increase the risk of them. |
||
 What to Expect Find out how long it will take, what they will be doing and what to expect afterwards. |
 Results What are the next steps and other possible tests needed after you have received the results. |
