Ultrasound exams are used to create an image of internal body structures such as tendons, muscles, joints, blood vessels, and internal organs. It’s aim is often to find a source of a disease or to exclude pathology This procedure is most commonly used for abdominal, pelvic and obstetrical evaluation. Unlike X-rays, this procedure does not use radiation.

Types of Ultrasounds: Most ultrasounds are done using a transducer on the surface of the skin. Sometimes, however, doctors and technicians can get a better diagnostic image by inserting a special transducer into one of the body’s natural openings.

In a transvaginal ultrasound, a transducer wand is placed in a woman’s vagina to get better images of her uterus and ovaries.

A transrectal ultrasound is sometimes used in the diagnosis of prostate conditions. It is used to look at the prostate and tissues around it. An ultrasound transducer (also called a probe) sends sound waves through the wall of the rectum and into the prostate and surrounding tissue.

You should wear comfortable clothing that is easy to remove or partially removable. Often times, you may need to disrobe or wear a gown, a clean gown will be provided by us.

FEMALE TECHNICIAN AVAILABLE. REQUISITION FORM IS REQUIRED FOR ALL PROCEDURES.

Bone Mineral Density (BMD) is a test which detects low bone density. The most common bone density test is called dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The test involves lying on a table for 10-20 minutes, while a small x-ray detector scans the spine, hips or both.

A DEXA scan usually assesses or measures bone density. It may also have uses in determining body composition, such as the percentage of lean muscle and fat. The dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan uses two low-energy X-ray beams, which doctors direct toward the bones. Using dual energy levels separates the images into two components, including soft tissue and bone. When determining whether a person has low bone density or whether the condition is getting worse, a DEXA scan tends to be more accurate than a typical X-ray because it can detect even small changes in bone loss. Doctors also consider it more reliable than other methods of calculating body fat percentage, including underwater weighing. Scan results may indicate the severity of bone loss and help doctors determine a person’s risk of developing a fracture. When assessing body composition, the results may also help determine a person’s level of visceral fat, which the body stores around certain internal organs.

Fluoroscopy is a type of medical imaging that shows a continuous X-ray image on a monitor, much like an X-ray movie. During a fluoroscopy procedure, an X-ray beam is passed through the body. The image is transmitted to a monitor so the movement of a body part or of an instrument or contrast agent (“X-ray dye”) through the body can be seen in detail.