Ultrasound

Expect high-quality imaging services and timely results when you choose Adventist HealthCare for your ultrasound.

What’s an Ultrasound?

An ultrasound is a safe, noninvasive and painless test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the inside of your body. Ultrasounds do not use radiation.

What an Ultrasound Can Detect

Your doctor may refer you for an ultrasound to:

Check your thyroid gland (thyroid ultrasound)
Examine breast changes that could show signs of breast cancer (breast ultrasound)
Increase detection of breast cancer in women who have dense breasts (Invenia ABUS 2.0 supplemental exam)
Look for blood flow problems or blockages in your veins and arteries (Doppler ultrasound or vascular ultrasound)
Look at your liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas and/or kidneys (abdominal ultrasound)
Track your baby’s growth and development (fetal ultrasound)
View the health of the organs in your lower belly (pelvic ultrasound)

Pediatric Ultrasound Services

Look to Adventist HealthCare for ultrasound exams for babies, children and teens. If your child’s doctor recommends an ultrasound, rest assured our skilled pediatric radiologist and staff members will make your child’s experience as comfortable and safe as possible, and that their test results are accurate.

Vascular Ultrasound Services

Vascular ultrasound examines circulation (blood flow) in the body. It can help diagnose blood vessel narrowing or blockages and find warning signs of certain heart disorders and strokes. Vascular ultrasound can also check for:

Aorta disease
Carotid artery disease (CAD)
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Renal vascular disease
Venous disease

ABUS Supplemental Exam – 3D Ultrasound

The Invenia ABUS 2.0 supplemental exam helps increase breast cancer detection in women with dense breasts by 35.7%. This breast cancer screening is done in addition to a mammogram and is a comfortable exam that does not use radiation. It is available at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Breast Center.

Who Can Get an ABUS Supplemental Exam?

This exam was developed specifically for women with dense breasts. Breast density is determined by the radiologist and then classified into one of four categories: A, B, C or D. Ask your doctor about your breast density and if the Invenia ABUS 2.0 exam is right for you.

How to Prepare for Your Ultrasound

When you schedule your appointment, ask your scheduler how to get ready for your test. Tell the scheduler if you:

Are allergic to IV or oral contrast
Are breastfeeding
Are pregnant or may be pregnant
Have diabetes or kidney disease

Your Appointment

On the day of your appointment:

Arrive at least 15 minutes before your test.
Bring your insurance cards and photo ID.
Bring your referral from your doctor, if needed.
Wear loose-fitting, metal-free clothing. Do not wear jewelry.

What to Expect

You may need to change into a gown depending on the type of ultrasound. A radiologist or sonographer with training in ultrasound imaging will have you lie face-up on an examination table. Your technician will then apply gel to the area of your body being examined and move a small wand (transducer) back and forth over the area.