Ultrasound

An ultrasound is a noninvasive imaging technique that utilizes high-frequency sound waves to view internal organs and produce precise images of the human body. The human ear cannot hear the sound waves used in an ultrasound. TPCA’s ultrasound department has the latest equipment and experienced technologists to ensure the highest quality studies in all areas, including ultrasound units with 3D/4D capabilities for breast and thyroid lesions.

Studies include, but are not limited to:

  • Abdomen/Gallbladder
  • Breast
  • OB
  • Pelvic
  • Thyroid
  • Vascular and Cardiac Echocardiograms

When scheduling, ordering doctors should advise if the patient has any physical disabilities. The Ultrasound department personnel may also make contact to ensure that the most appropriate procedure has been ordered.

Hours of Operation

Monday through Friday from 7:30am-4:30pm

Ultrasounds

Abdominal Ultrasound

Preparing for your Scan:

Nothing to eat or drink 8 hours prior to the scheduled examination. Ingesting food or drink will cause the inability to view certain organs in the abdomen. For an optimal imaging exam, schedule your appointment in the morning.

What to Expect:

A clear blue gel is applied to the area of study to help the transducer make secure contact with the body and eliminate air pockets between the transducer and the skin. The sonographer (ultrasound technologist) then presses the transducer firmly against the skin and sweeps it back and forth over the area of interest. The sonographer will evaluate and measure certain abdominal organs, including the Pancreas, Liver, Spleen, Inferior Vena Cava, Abdominal Aorta, Kidneys, Gallbladder and the Common Bile Duct.

Total Exam Time:

20-30 minutes

After Care Instructions:

Follow up with your referring physician within 3-5 business days for routine exam results.

Breast Core Biopsy Ultrasound

Preparing for your procedure:

Do not take any over the counter pain relievers or prescription NSAID medications 72 hours prior to your scheduled appointment. NSAID medications include, but are not limited to Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Advil, BC Powder, Aleve, Naprosyn, and Midol. (Tylenol is fine)

What to expect:

This is a semi-sterile procedure done under ultrasound guidance.  A board certified radiologist will perform the procedure, with the assistance of a sonographer. The radiologist will administer a local anesthetic prior to the procedure for your comfort level. Once the anesthetic has taken effect, a small incision is made to allow for core needle access to the area of interest. Several specimens of the area will be sent to a pathologist for analysis under a microscope. The pathology results are usually available within 24-48 business hours following the procedure. Before the bandage is applied, the radiologist will deploy a small titanium clip to mark the biopsy site. You will not be able to feel the clip and it will not cause any issues with further imaging, like an MRI for example. The clip is an important part of the biopsy as it marks the area for anyone reading your future mammograms and also proves that area was evaluated. There will be some post procedure mammography images of the clip to document the location.  After the clip is successfully placed, gentle pressure is placed on the breast for about 10 minutes to stop any bleeding on the inside from the biopsy. No stitches are needed and you can drive home or back to work immediately after the procedure.

Total Exam Time:

45-60 minutes

After Care Instructions:

  • Following the procedure, apply an ice pack on the puncture site
  • Do not participate in strenuous activities for 24 hours following the procedure
  • Do not remove the site bandage for 24 hours/do not get the procedure site wet before bandage removal
  • If further discomfort develops, you may use Tylenol ONLY
  • You may experience some bruising and soreness following the procedure. *Should you experience any significant swelling, redness, fever or discharge, please notify your physician’s office immediately

Breast Cyst Aspiration Ultrasound

Preparing for your procedure:

Do not take any over the counter pain relievers or prescription NSAID medications 72 hours prior to your scheduled appointment. NSAID medications include, but are not limited to Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Advil, BC Powder, Aleve, Naprosyn, and Midol. (Tylenol is fine)

What to expect:

This is a semi-sterile procedure done under ultrasound guidance.  A board certified radiologist will perform the procedure with the assistance of a sonographer. The radiologist will administer a local anesthetic prior to the procedure for your comfort. Once the anesthetic has taken effect, a small needle is inserted in the area of interest to aspirate fluid from a known documented cyst. A sample of the fluid may be sent to a pathologist for analysis under a microscope. The pathology results are usually available within 48-72 business hours following the procedure. The procedure takes about 45 minutes including the check in process, procedure, follow up imaging and check out.

Total Exam Time:

45 minutes

After Care Instructions:

  • Following the procedure, apply an ice pack on the puncture site
  • Do not participate in strenuous activities for 24 hours following the procedure
  • Do not remove Band-Aid for 24 hours/do not get the procedure site wet before bandage removal
  • If further discomfort develops, you may use Tylenol ONLY
  • You may experience some bruising and soreness following the procedure. *Should you experience any significant swelling, redness, fever or discharge, please notify your physician’s office immediately

Breast Ultrasound

Preparing for your Scan:

No prep. Please bring any previous breast ultrasounds and/or mammography exams with you to your appointment.  Wearing a two piece outfit is strongly recommended for comfort.

What to Expect:

A clear blue gel is applied to the area of study to help the transducer make secure contact with the body and eliminate air pockets between the transducer and the skin. The sonographer (ultrasound technologist) then presses the transducer firmly against the skin and sweeps it back and forth over the area of interest. The primary use of breast ultrasound today is to help diagnose breast abnormalities detected by a physician during a physical exam and to characterize potential abnormalities seen on mammography. A breast ultrasound can be used in conjunction with or without a mammography exam. Your primary physician will order what he/she feels is most appropriate.

Total Exam Time:

20-30 minutes

After Care Instructions:

Follow up with your referring physician within 3-5 business days for routine exam results.

Carotid Ultrasound

Preparing for your Scan:

No prep.Please bring any previous ultrasounds or related imaging exams with you to your appointment.

What to Expect:

A clear blue gel is applied to the area of study to help the transducer make secure contact with the body and eliminate air pockets between the transducer and the skin. The sonographer (ultrasound technologist) then presses the transducer firmly against the skin and sweeps it back and forth over the area of interest. A Carotid Ultrasound is a painless and harmless test designed to determine if plaque (a waxy substance) has built up in your carotid arteries. The build up of plaque in the carotid arteries is called carotid artery disease.

Total Exam Time:

30-40 minutes

After Care Instructions:

Follow up with your referring physician within 3-5 business days for routine exam results.

Lower Extremity Arterial Ultrasound

Preparing for your Scan:

No prep. Please bring any previous ultrasounds or related imaging exams with you to your appointment. Wear comfortable, loose-fit clothing.

What to Expect:

A clear blue gel is applied to the area of study to help the transducer make secure contact with the body and eliminate air pockets between the transducer and the skin. The sonographer (ultrasound technologist) then presses the transducer firmly against the skin and sweeps it back and forth over the area of interest.

A Lower Extremity Arterial Ultrasound is a painless and noninvasive ultrasound used to examine the blood circulation in the legs. During an arterial ultrasound, sound waves are transmitted through the tissues of the area being examined. These sound waves reflect off blood cells moving within the blood vessels allowing the technologist to evaluate the structure of the artery and calculate the speed of blood flow. The sound waves are recorded and displayed on a computer screen. This exam may or may not include specific blood pressure readings of your legs. You will not feel any pain but may feel mild pressure from the blood pressure cuff and the transducer.

Arterial ultrasounds are used to detect:

  • Patency of arteries
  • Integrity of arterial walls (i.e. dissection)
  • Detect peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
  • Evaluate ulcerations and cause

Total Exam Time:

30-40 minutes

After Care Instructions:

Follow up with your referring physician within 3-5 business days for routine exam results.

Lower Extremity Venous Doppler

Preparing for your Scan:

No prep. Please bring any previous ultrasounds or related imaging exams with you to your appointment.

What to Expect:

A blue gel is applied to the area of study to help the transducer make secure contact with the body and eliminate air pockets between the transducer and the skin. The sonographer (ultrasound technologist) then presses the transducer firmly against the skin and sweeps it back and forth over the area of interest. During the Lower Extremity Doppler Ultrasound, compression and augmentation of the deep veins within the leg will allow the sonographer to see if there is a blockage within veins of the leg. Such blockages are usually caused by blood clots, which can be dangerous and even life-threatening.

Total Exam Time:

30-40 minutes

After Care Instructions:

These exams are usually ordered as an emergency and you should follow up with your referring physician within 2-3 hours.

Pelvic Ultrasound

Preparing for your Scan:

Drink 32 oz. of water 45-60 minutes prior to your exam so you are well hydrated and your bladder is full.

What to Expect:

A clear blue gel is applied to the area of study to help the transducer make secure contact with the body and eliminate air pockets between the transducer and the skin. The sonographer (ultrasound technologist) then presses the transducer firmly against the skin and sweeps it back and forth over the area of interest.

There are two parts to the Pelvic Ultrasound Transabdominal and Transvaginal.

Transabdominal: With a full bladder, you will be lying on your back while a gel is applied to the area of study. The Sonographer will then press the transducer firmly against the skin and move it back and forth over the area of interest (Uterus, Ovaries and Adnexal Regions).

Transvaginal: Transvaginal ultrasound is performed very much like a gynecologic exam, and involves the insertion of the transducer into the vagina after the patient empties her bladder. A protective cover is placed over the transducer, lubricated with a small amount of gel and then inserted into the vagina. Only two to three inches of the transducer end are inserted into the vagina. The images are obtained from different orientations to get the best views of the uterus, endometrium, ovaries and cervix. The transvaginal ultrasound is usually performed with you lying on your back, possibly with feet in stirrups, again similar to a gynecologic exam. Please note that this exam is usually performed for women over the age of 18 who have had a recent pap smear.

Total Exam Time:

20-30 minutes

After Care Instructions:

Follow up with your referring physician within 3-5 business days for routine exam results.

Renal Ultrasound

Preparing for your Scan:

Drink 32 oz. of water 45-60 minutes prior to your exam so you are well hydrated and your bladder is full.

What to Expect:

A clear blue gel is applied to the area of study to help the transducer make secure contact with the body and eliminate air pockets between the transducer and the skin. The sonographer (ultrasound technologist) then presses the transducer firmly against the skin and sweeps it back and forth over the area of interest (kidneys and bladder).

A volume measurement of your bladder pre-void and post-void will be obtained to measure if you have any post-void residual.
Total Exam Time:
20-30 minutes

After Care Instructions:

Follow up with your referring physician within 3-5 business days for routine exam results.

Testicular/Scrotal Ultrasound

Preparing for your Scan:

No prep. Please bring any previous ultrasounds or related imaging exams with you to your appointment.

What to Expect:

A clear blue gel is applied to the area of study to help the transducer make secure contact with the body and eliminate air pockets between the transducer and the skin. The sonographer (ultrasound technologist) then presses the transducer firmly against the skin and sweeps it back and forth over the area of interest. An ultrasound can show the long, tightly coiled tube that lies behind each testicle that collects sperm (epididymis), and  the tube (vas deferens) that connects the testicles to the prostate gland.

Testicular ultrasound is done to:

  • Evaluate a mass or pain in the testicles.
  • Identify and monitor infection or inflammation of the testicles.
  • Identify twisting of the spermatic cord cutting off blood supply to the testicles (testicular torsion).
  • Monitor for recurrence of testicular cancer.
  • Locate an undescended testicle.
  • Identify fluid in the scrotum (hydrocele), fluid in the epididymis (spermatocele), blood in the scrotum (hematocele), or pus in the scrotum (pyocele).

Total Exam Time:

20-30 minutes

After Care Instructions:

Follow up with your referring physician within 3-5 business days for routine exam results.

Thyroid Ultrasound

Preparing for your Scan:

No prep. Please bring any previous thyroid ultrasounds or related imaging exams with you to your appointment.

What to Expect:

A clear blue gel is applied to the area of study to help the transducer make secure contact with the body and eliminate air pockets between the transducer and the skin. The sonographer (ultrasound technologist) then presses the transducer firmly against the skin and sweeps it back and forth over the area of interest. The sonographer will image, evaluate and measure each thyroid lobe in different planes.  You will lie on the ultrasound bed with your neck extended beyond its usual limit (hyperextended).

Total Exam Time:

15-20 minutes

After Care Instructions:

Follow up with your referring physician within 3-5 business days for routine exam results.

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