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Welcome to Mt. Baker Imaging

What is Ultrasound?

What is an Ultrasound?
How do I prepare for my Ultrasound?
What to expect during my Ultrasound?
When will I get my results?

What is an Ultrasound?

Ultrasound is an imaging system which uses sound waves to look inside the human body without using x-rays. These images can help your physician diagnose your condition and formulate the appropriate treatment plan. Ultrasound, unlike x-ray examinations, can help determine the characteristics of certain tissues. For example, fluids and solids have different sound wave characteristics.  

Ultrasound is specifically used to evaluate:

  • Heart
  • Blood vessels
  • Lumps in the breast
  • Gallstones
  • Inflammation, tumors, cysts and stones in the bladder, kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas, colon, uterus/ovaries and prostate
  • Injury to joint tissues such as ligaments, tendons and nerves
  • Fetal growth and development
  • Infertility
  • Biopsy needle guidance

How do I prepare for my Ultrasound?

  • Wear comfortable cotton clothing without metal snaps; you may be asked to change into a patient gown.
  • Please notify your physician for further instructions if:
  • You have a pacemaker, heart valve, defibrillator, neurostimulator or cochlear implant
  • You have a history of any metal in the eyes
  • You are pregnant, or may be pregnant
  • The Ultrasound Technologist will ask you several questions related to your health, and symptoms leading up to the exam. They will explain the procedure to you.

Preparation instructions for specific Ultrasound exams:

If NPO is indicated:

  • NO FOOD/DRINK 4 hours prior to exam
  • TAKE REGULAR MEDICATIONS AS PRESCRIBED   
  • If food is required with the medication, we suggest a slice of dry toast and a glass of unsweetened orange juice or water.

ABDOMEN (AORTA, BILE DUCT, GALLBLADDER, LIVER, PANCREAS, SPLEEN)

The day before your exam:

  • Follow a low fat **diet and avoid gas producing foods (**See guidelines below)
  • Drink 4 glasses of water throughout the day but not all at once

The evening before your exam:

  • DO NOT EAT, DRINK, CHEW GUM OR SMOKE AFTER 10PM.   YOU WILL BE FASTING UNTIL YOUR EXAM IS COMPLETE

PELVIS

  • YOU SHOULD BE FINISHED DRINKING 16 OUNCES OF WATER 45 MINUTES BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT TIME; PATIENTS 55 YEARS OR OLDER SHOULD DRINK 24 OUNCES OF WATER (FINISH 45 MINUTES BEFORE APPOINTMENT)
  • Do not empty your bladder after drinking the water: A FULL BLADDER IS IMPORTANT

FOR WOMEN :  

  • Schedule your appointment within 6 days before your period starts
  • Fasting is not necessary
  • Internal vaginal scans may be required to complete a pelvic ultrasound procedure

KIDNEY (RENAL)

  • ONE HOUR BEFORE THE EXAM, DRINK 12 OUNCES OF WATER
  • DO NOT EMPTY YOUR BLADDER AFTER DRINKING THE WATER

OBSTETRICAL

PATIENTS IN THE FIRST 20 WEEKS OF PREGANACY:

  • Finish drinking 24 ounces of water one hour before our appointment time
  • Do not empty your bladder after drinking the water. A full bladder is important

PATIENTS IN 21-40 WEEKS OF PREGANACY:

  • Finish drinking 8 ounces of water one hour before our appointment time.  
  • Do not empty your bladder after drinking the water. A full bladder is important

NO PREPARATION FOR THE FOLLOWING EXAMS:

  • Appendix; if an abdomen is also being done, follow the abdomen instructions
  • Breast
  • Child's head, Child's hips, hernia, scrotal, shoulders, thyroid

**Guidelines for a low-fat diet:

Foods Allowed:   Fruit juice (except apple), coffee, tea, water, lean beef, fish, lamb, poultry, rice pasta, fat free broth based soups, dry cereals (except bran products) most vegetables, most fruits, Jell-O, sherbet.   Food should be prepared without added fat and should not be fried.

Foods to Avoid:   Whole milk, apple juice, beer, carbonated beverages, all fried foods, highly spicy foods, dried beans, potatoes, vegetables in the cabbage family, whole grain products, prunes, chocolate

What should I expect during an ULTRASOUND?

  • For the majority of exams, you will be asked to lie on a padded table on your back; the technologist will help get you in the correct position
  • The technologist will use a water-soluble gel to cover the area of interest
  • A wand, called a transducer, will be moved over the gel to send and receive the sound waves thus creating the images on a television monitor
  • For the majority of exams, the transducer is used on the outside of the body. However, for some ultrasound exams of the uterus, the transducer will be inserted into the vagina. For prostate scans, the transducer may be inserted into the rectum.

When will I get my results?            

The Registered Ultrasound Technologist performing your scans will review your exam before you leave to make sure enough information has been obtained to provide a diagnostic study.

One of our board-certified radiologists will later interpret the images and prepare a written report for your physician. Our goal is for all reports to be available within 24 hours. If your appointment with your physician is sooner than 24 hours, let us know and our reports can be faxed or called in to your physician.

PLEASE ALLOW ONE HOUR FOR YOUR ULTRASOUND

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