During most ultrasounds, you will simply lie down on an exam table while the area being studied is exposed, and the rest of your body stays covered. Our ultrasound technology will be present to guide you through the process.
They will gently apply a warm, water-based gel to the part of your body being studied. Then, using a small device called a transducer, they will carefully move it over the area to capture the images needed. You won’t feel any discomfort as the transducer glides over your skin. Once the ultrasound is completed, the gel will be wiped off, and any leftover will dry up without staining your clothes.
Ultrasound imaging is a versatile approach allowing our team to check for a number of conditions. Typically, an ultrasound is recommended to rule out or help diagnose:
• Abdominal conditions affecting the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas, and spleen
• Vascular problems and blood flow
• Musculoskeletal injuries affecting the tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints
• Soft tissue masses and cysts
• Thyroid and other glandular conditions
• Guidance for biopsies and other medical procedures
Preparing for an ultrasound is super simple. Depending on what area we are focusing on, your physician and our team at South Jersey Radiology will give you specific instructions. Here are some general guidelines to help you get ready for your appointment:
• Be sure to arrive 15 minutes early for your appointment.
• If we are looking at your liver, gallbladder, spleen, or pancreases, have a light, low-fat dinner the night before your appointment. Also, please don’t eat or drink anything for at least 12 hours before your appointment.
• For a pelvic, bladder, or renal ultrasound, it is important to have a full bladder. Drink 32 ounces of water one hour prior to the study and hold your bladder.
• If we are checking your aorta, please avoid eating for at least 8 hours before you appointment.
An ultrasound is completely painless and doesn’t involve any radiation, making it completely safe.
Once your ultrasound is complete, one of our board-certified, subspecialized radiologists will analyze the results and develop a detailed report for your physician. We will make sure your physician receives your results in time for your follow up visit with them.
South Jersey Radiology is in-network with 99% of health insurance providers. If you are unsure about our network status with your health insurance provider, please contact your provider directly. In some cases, insurance companies may attempt to tell you which radiology centers are preferred. As the patient, you have the right to choose if you would like your study performed as South Jersey Radiology.
