Ultrasound Exam

Ultrasounds as a Radiation-Free Alternative

Diagnostic ultrasounds are generally one of the safest methods of medical imaging, using high-frequency sound waves to generate images for diagnosis rather than exposing the body to some level of radiation. Doctors will often refer patients to get ultrasounds to ensure they are able to reach a clear and conclusive diagnosis. They might also refer you for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam, which utilizes a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce images, as an alternative form of imaging.

If you may be or are currently pregnant, please inform your doctor prior to scheduling an ultrasound appointment.

How Tissue Composition May Influence Your Ultrasound

• Sound waves cannot pass through hard, dense objects, such as bone or calcifications
• Gas in the gastrointestinal (GI) system and bowel is a strong sound-wave reflector that negatively impacts transmission and can create reverberation artifacts during imaging
• The deeper something is inside your body, the less likely ultrasound waves will penetrate the tissue with the same efficiency

How to Prepare

As there are many types of ultrasound procedures, the way you prepare will differ from one exam to the next. Generally, we ask all of our ultrasound imaging patients, including pelvic and obstetric ultrasound exams, to drink four (8 oz.) glasses of water an hour before their ultrasound exam starts. You may also be asked to not go to the washroom until the exam is over or until the sonographer says it’s ok to do so. Fasting may also be required.

For more information on how to prepare, consult with your doctor/sonographer or visit our Exam Preparation page.

The Medical Exam Preparation Timeline

We understand it can be difficult and uncomfortable to fast or to drink a large volume of water without relief. Rest assured, we will do our best to get you in on time for your exam and, if possible, perform parts of the exam that require a full bladder first. We also recommend using the pictured timeline below as a reference for how to prepare for your exam.

To reduce any possible discomfort from drinking water too early or continuing to drink right up until your exam, we suggest that you drink all four (8oz) glasses of water in a 30-minute window. If you are in an uncomfortable amount of pain from drinking water, tell our receptionists or sonographers. Sometimes you can release a little urine before your exam.

Once the exam is complete, you may resume your normal activities and diet unless your doctor or sonographer instructs you otherwise.

Please consult with your doctor once they have received a detailed report on the results of your ultrasound. For obstetric ultrasound exams, we will be able to print or send digital photos to your cell phone or email for maximum convenience.

This window should start 90 minutes before your appointment and will allow our staff to capture high-quality images during your procedure in a quick and efficient manner.

Internal Ultrasound Procedure

Certain ultrasound exams for women may require additional imaging in the form of an internal exam. These scans are performed transvaginally and give our radiologists more detailed images for diagnosis. Typically, we conduct internal ultrasounds on women who have a pelvic, renal, obstetric or combined abdomen/pelvic appointment.

For the comfort of our patients during this portion of the ultrasound exam, patients can request female sonographers at the time of booking. However, it is important to understand that we may not always be able to meet this request due to the volume of exams and staffing limitations.

Please be reassured that if a male sonographer is assigned to perform your ultrasound exam, a female colleague will be in the room with you to chaperon.

Benefits of Ultrasound Guidance Over Traditional Guidance

Ultrasound guidance offers the following benefits:

• Zero exposure to ionizing radiation
• Longer insertion window
• Improved needle placement accuracy
• Reduced risk of injury to neighbouring anatomy
• Real-time confirmation of procedural success

In addition, ultrasound imaging is highly useful for visualizing musculoskeletal anatomy and guiding interventional radiology procedures, such as biopsy, in real-time.

Insight Medical Imaging uses ultrasound guidance for many intervention procedures, such as core and aspiration biopsy and wire localization, as well as pain management injections. Click here to learn more about ultrasound-guided biopsy, including the preparation, how it is commonly performed, and more.

Providing Edmonton and Alberta with Ultrasounds At Our Medical Imaging Clinics

We have 12 locations throughout Edmonton and Alberta that offer ultrasound exams and other medical procedures. For your ultrasound examination needs, visit our locations at Castledowns, Heritage, Hermitage, Lendrum, Meadowlark Diagnostic, Millwoods, Oliver Square, West End, Leduc, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, or Fort McMurray.