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Ultrasound
Midtown Imaging Women’s Center's diagnostic ultrasound is dedicated
to the care of women who are either pregnant or having other potential
health problems that may require ultrasound examinations. Ultrasound
excels at diagnosing the stages of pregnancy, breast abnormalities,
and cancer of the ovary and uterus.
Ultrasound-Prenatal
Ultrasound imaging is a common diagnostic medical procedure that uses
high-frequency sound waves to produce dynamic images (sonograms) of
organs, tissues, or blood flow.. Prenatal ultrasound examinations are
performed by sonographers, radiologists, and obstetricians. These health
care professionals use ultrasound at very low power levels to check
the size, location, number, and age of fetuses, the presence of some
types of birth defects, fetal movement, breathing, and heartbeat. When
ultrasound is used by a qualified clinician to check for this kind of
medical information, the FDA says the medical benefits far outweigh
any risk involved.
Ultrasound-Guided Breast Biopsy
Ultrasound is also an excellent way to evaluate breast abnormalities
detected by mammography, the patient or her doctor, but in some cases
it is not possible to tell from the imaging studies alone whether a
growth is benign or cancerous. Ultrasound-guided breast biopsy is a
highly accurate way to evaluate suspicious masses within the breast
that are visible on ultrasound, whether or not they can be felt on breast
self-examination or clinical examination. The procedure prevents the
need to remove tissue surgically and also eliminates the radiation exposure
that comes from using x-rays to locate a mass.
Ultrasound- Pelvic Imaging
Ultrasound examinations can help determine the cause of pelvic
pain, abnormal bleeding or other menstrual problems. Ultrasound images
can also help to identify palpable masses such as ovarian cysts and
uterine fibroids, as well as ovarian or uterine cancers. Sonohysterography
(saline infusion sonography) is a relatively new procedure in which
sterile saline is injected into the uterus while a transvaginal sonogram
is performed. The purpose is to distend the uterine cavity (endometrial
cavity) to look for polyps, fibroids or cancer, especially in patients
with abnormal uterine bleeding. Other applications include evaluation
of the uterine cavity, looking for uterine anomalies (abnormal uterine
shapes since birth) or scars. The saline outlines the lesion and allows
for easy visualization and measurement. Some physicians also use sonohysterography
for patients with infertility. Saline and air are injected into the
uterus and the physician looks for air bubbles passing through the fallopian
tubes, which would indicate patency of the fallopian tubes.
Benefits
- Ultrasound imaging is noninvasive (no needles or injections in
most cases), and usually painless.
- Ultrasound uses no ionizing radiation and is the preferred image
modality for diagnosis and monitoring of pregnant women and their
unborn infants.
- Pelvic ultrasound can help to identify and evaluate a variety of
urinary and reproductive system disorders in women without even the
minimal risks associated with x-ray exposure.
- Ultrasound provides real-time imaging, making it a good tool for
guiding minimally invasive procedures such as needle biopsies.
- Ultrasound can visualize structure, movement and function in the
body’s organs, blood vessels and the growing fetus.
Risks
- For standard diagnostic ultrasound there are no known harmful effects
on humans.
Make your appointment today at Midtowns Imaging Women’s Center
and stay ahead of your health.
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