What is Ultrasound?
Ultrasound, also known as sonography, uses high-frequency sound waves to gather real-time images within the body. It is a safe and painless way of examining organs such as the heart, liver, kidneys and bladder, as well as showing movement of internal tissues and organs. Physicians can see blood flow and heart valve functions which can help to diagnose and monitor a variety of heart conditions. No ionizing radiation (x-ray) is used in ultrasound imaging. Ultrasound is a non-invasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. Conventional ultrasound displays the images in thin, flat sections of the body.
A Doppler ultrasound study may be part of an ultrasound examination.
What is Doppler Ultrasound?
Doppler Ultrasound evaluates blood as it flows through a blood vessel, including the body’s major arteries and veins in the abdomen, arms, legs and neck.
Doppler Ultrasound images can help the physician to see and evaluate blockages to blood flow (such as clots), narrowing of vessels (caused by plaque), and tumors and congenital malformation.
Our Ultrasound Services
All sonographers at the Methodist Care First Imaging Center are licensed and certified by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. The ultrasound department specializes in abdomen and small parts, OB/GYN and vascular ultrasound imaging.
The types of ultrasound exams offered by the center include:
- Liver and gallbladder
- Pelvic and OB
- Venous and arterial Doppler flow studies
- Renal and Bladder
- Thyroid
- Scrotum
