What is ultrasound?
Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves applied with a small probe. When the sound waves reflect off tissues in the body, they generate a signal that is transmitted back to the ultrasound machine which generates an image. Ultrasound is used in a wide variety of injuries and illnesses that may apply to virtually any area of the body.

How do patients prepare for the exam?
There are many procedures in ultrasound that require no preparation at all. Procedures that involve scanning in the abdomen or pelvis may require patients go without food prior to the procedure. Patients scheduled for a biopsy will receive specific exam preparation instructions.

How is the exam performed?
Ultrasound procedures range in time from just 15 minutes to one hour depending on the procedure. Patients lie on a comfortable table while the technologist places a small amount of gel on or near the area needing to be scanned. The gel enables the ultrasound waves to transmit properly. Patients only feel the probe moving gently against their skin. There are no side effects to ultrasound.

When are results available?
Physicians provide exam results. The radiologist interprets the ultrasound scans the day they are performed. Some cases may require comparison to other exams, resulting in a slight delay. CMC provides results directly to physicians as soon as the radiologist verifies the report accuracy.