Ultrasound

Preparation may vary depending on the type of ultrasound you are having. Please follow the instructions provided by the bookings office. Below are the most common exams and the required preparation.

Abdominal Ultrasound:

Area: Liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, aorta and kidneys.

• Do not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum for 8 hours before your test. Essential medications may be taken with a small sip of water.

Pelvic or Obstetrical Ultrasound:

• Empty your bladder 1.5 hours before your appointment.
• Drink 32oz (1 liter) of water, ensuring it is fully finished over the next 30 minutes.
• DO NOT EMPTY YOUR BLADDER. If the pressure becomes too uncomfortable, you may release a small amount of urine then drink more water to keep your bladder full.

Abdominal and Pelvic Combined Ultrasound:

• Do not eat, drink (except water as noted below), smoke, or chew gum for 8 hours before your test. Essential medications may be taken with a small sip of water.
• Empty your bladder 1.5 hours before your appointment.
• Drink 32oz (1 liter) of water, ensuring it is fully finished over the next 30 minutes.
• DO NOT EMPTY YOUR BLADDER. If the pressure becomes too uncomfortable, you may release a small amount of urine then drink more water to keep your bladder full.

Renal Imaging Study (RIS):

• Eat normally.
• Empty your bladder 1.5 hours before your appointment.
• Drink 32oz (1 liter) of water, ensuring it is fully finished over the next 30 minutes.
• DO NOT EMPTY YOUR BLADDER. If the pressure becomes too uncomfortable, you may release a small amount of urine then drink more water to keep your bladder full.

Small Parts Ultrasounds:

Area: Thyroid, breast, scrotum, venous legs, carotid, ankle brachial indices, hernia and shoulders.

• No preparation is required.

Your ultrasound will be performed by a registered diagnostic medical sonographer (DMS). DMSs use imaging equipment and sound waves to form images of the human body. They are trained to acquire and analyze these sonographic images that are shared with the radiologist. Click here to learn more about DMSs!

A radiologist will review your case and provide a detailed report to your referring healthcare provider. Radiologists are highly specialized physicians who play a pivotal role in diagnosing and monitoring diseases and injuries through advanced medical imaging. Their expertise is essential in guiding treatment decisions and ensuring optimal patient outcomes.

Only the patient will be permitted in the exam room for the procedure. This allows the diagnostic medical sonographer to focus on fetal assessment. Once all images are obtained, one visitor will be permitted in the room for viewing. Images are provided to patients through PocketHealth, a secure online service.

Nuchal Translucency Ultrasound: (12 - 14wk genetic testing)

• This is part of genetic screening to assess the likelihood of specific genetic abnormalities. Please consult with your referring healthcare practitioner should you have any further questions.

• A paper copy of lab forms, including the CGMH requisition, must be brought to your ultrasound appointment. The exam will be performed by a certified nuchal translucency sonographer. The sonographer will complete the required information on the CGMH form, which must be brought to the lab.

• Blood work is drawn at any community lab after your ultrasound, ideally on the same day.

• If you are eligible for or have paid for the non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT, also known as NIPS or panorama testing), only an ultrasound is required on the day of your appointment. Lab forms are not needed for the ultrasound, and your blood draw for genetic testing will be performed separately.

• If you are unsure of what test you are having, please speak with your referring healthcare practitioner.

Detailed Anatomy:

• This is typically the longest obstetrical exam, as it involves assessing fetal anatomy including internal organs, growth and the placenta.
• If fetal sex is requested, it will be included in the report provided to your referring healthcare practitioner
  
  Note: Diagnostic medical sonographers are not permitted to disclose results, including fetal sex.

Most of our musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasounds are performed by a specialized MSK radiologist. Apart from shoulders (rotator cuff) and Achilles tendons, all requisitions are reviewed by our MSK radiologist prior to booking.

Radiologists use ultrasound-guidance to ensure accurate localization of targeted tissues. These procedures include core biopsies, fine needle aspirations and corticosteroid injections.

• Biopsies: A radiologist will first inject a numbing agent around the area of concern. Ultrasound will then be used to guide the core needle to target, where multiple small tissue samples are withdrawn and sent to the lab for analysis. Core biopsies are typically performed on breasts, lymph nodes and soft tissue masses.

• Fine-needle aspiration: Performed by a radiologist using a needle and syringe to remove cells or fluid from targeted tissues. The fluid and cells collected are sent to the lab for further analysis if necessary. This procedure is commonly done on thyroid nodules, lymph nodes or fluid collections.

• Injection: Performed by a musculoskeletal radiologist to help relieve pain and inflammation in a specific area of the body. A corticosteroid, prescribed by your referring healthcare practitioner, must be brought with you to your appointment.

A transvaginal ultrasound is a type of pelvic ultrasound that gives a closer, more detailed look at the female reproductive organs. It is also commonly used to visualize pregnancy at an earlier stage.

During the exam, you will be asked to remove clothing below the waist and will be provided with a gown for coverage. A thin, wand-like probe is covered with a plastic sheath and gel, then gently inserted into the vagina. Once in place, the DMS will carefully angle the probe to examine all pelvic structures. You may feel some discomfort as the probe is moved around, but the procedure should not be painful.