Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a very useful tool that sends harmless waves through the body cavities and as they are received they are translated into a real-time image. Ways in which we use ultrasound may include:

Echocardiography- this is a process of examining the heart for muscle disease, valvular disease and evidence of obstructive blood flow in the heart. We can use color-flow Doppler as well as pulse-wave Doppler to assess these abnormalities.

Abdominal scans- this is a process of evaluating the liver, kidneys, adrenal glands, spleen, urinary bladder and abdominal lymphnodes for evidence of disease. We also use the ultrasound as a guide to obtain tissues samples(needle aspirates or biopsies) of these areas as deemed necessary.

Soft tissue exams- ultrasound may also be used to examine muscle tissue, tendons or skin masses to determine surgical approaches for removal or to obtain tissue specimens.

Anesthesia and sedation are generally unnecessary for most radiology and ultrasound procedures.