- An ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body without radiation. It can show organs, blood flow, and other structures. - During an ultrasound, gel is applied and a transducer is moved over the skin to obtain images. Preparation may involve not eating or drinking beforehand depending on the exam. - Results are interpreted by a radiologist who will send a report to the ordering provider. The patient should contact their provider for results.

1. MedCross Imaging LLC - ULTRASOUND

2. SUMMARY
• MedCross Imaging - WHAT IS AN ULTRASOUND?
• MedCross Imaging - WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN ULTRASOUND?
• MedCross Imaging - PREPARING FOR AN ULTRASOUND
• MedCross Imaging - RESULTS OF YOUR ULTRASOUND
• MedCross Imaging - VASCULAR SCREENING

3. MedCross Imaging - WHAT IS AN ULTRASOUND?
Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning or
sonography, involves exposing part of the body to high-
frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of
the body. Ultrasound exams do not use ionizing radiation (x-
ray). Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time,
they can show the structure and movement of the body’s
internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood
vessels.

4. Ultrasound imaging is usually a painless 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. Doppler ultrasound is a special
ultrasound technique that evaluates blood as it flows through a blood
vessel, including the body’s major arteries and veins in the abdomen, arms,
legs and neck.

5. MedCross Imaging - WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN ULTRASOUND?
For most ultrasound exams, the patient is positioned lying face-up on
an examination table that can be tilted or moved. A clear gel is
applied to the area of the body being studied 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.
Doppler sonography is performed using the same transducer.
When the examination is complete, the patient may be asked to dress
and wait while the ultrasound images are reviewed. However, the
sonographer is often able to review the ultrasound images in real-
time as they are acquired and the patient can be released
immediately. Most ultrasound examinations are completed within 30
minutes to an hour.

6. General
•Abdominal (includes gall bladder, liver,
pancreas, spleen, kidney, and aorta)
•Aorta
•Biophysical profile
•Breast Ultrasound
•Hysterosonogram
•Obstetric
•Pelvic with transvaginal
•Renal/bladder
•Testicular
•Thyroid
Doppler
•Mesenteric, porta-hepatic, and renal arterial
•Venous Doppler of the arms and legs
•Carotid
•Liver transplant, renal transplant
•Transcranial Doppler
•Ankle Brachial Index (ABIs) – arterial legs
•Groin Doppler (post heart catheter)
•Vein mapping of the arms and legs

7. MedCross Imaging - PREPARING FOR AN ULTRASOUND
While many ultrasound procedures require no preparation for our patients, some do. You
should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for your ultrasound exam. You will need to
remove all clothing and jewelry in the area to be examined. You may be asked to wear a
gown during the procedure.
Other preparation depends on the type of examination you will have. For some scans your
doctor may instruct you not to eat or drink for as many as 12 hours before your
appointment. For others you may be asked to drink up to six glasses of water two hours
prior to your exam and avoid urinating so that your bladder is full when the scan begins.
Each prep helps the technologist get the best possible images for review.
Please see below for specific instructions for each test.

8. No prep required
•Breast
•Carotid Doppler
•Cranial
•Testicular
•Transcranial Doppler
•Venous Doppler
•ABIs
•Non-invasive arterial testing of the arms
•Groin Doppler
•Vein mapping
No eating or drinking (including water) after
midnight the evening before these tests
•Abdominal
•Aorta
•Liver transplant
•Mesenteric Doppler
•Porta-hepatic Doppler
•Renal arterial Doppler
•Renal transplant

9. Water prep for three (3) exams
• Pelvis or OB ultrasound: One and one-half hours before the exam, start
drinking 32 ounces of water (about four cups). Complete drinking water
about one hour prior to the scheduled exam. Do not urinate until after the test.
• Renal ultrasound: Drink plenty of clear liquids the day before the exam. The
day of the exam, drink 24 ounces (about three cups) of water. Complete
drinking water about 30 minutes prior to the scheduled exam. Do not urinate
until after the test.

10. Images from the ultrasound exam are reviewed and interpreted by a
MedCross radiologist, who will dictate a report, which is transcribed
and sent to the healthcare provider who ordered the exam.
The sonographer is not able to render a diagnosis based on what they
see in the exam room. Patients should contact their healthcare provider
for the results of their ultrasound exam.
A CD of the exam can be burned and kept at the front desk for pickup
by the patient or ordering clinician. Please the front desk for more
information 770-476-3939.
MedCross Imaging - RESULTS OF YOUR ULTRASOUND

11. • Abdominal Aorta Vascular Ultrasound screens for Aortic Aneurysm. Aortic
aneurysm is a weakening in the wall of the aorta, which is the main artery in the chest
and abdomen. This weakening can cause the artery to rupture causing possible death.
Often there are no signs or symptoms of an aortic aneurysm until it ruptures. Risk
factors for aortic aneurysms are: over age 60; family history of Aortic Aneurysms;
smoking; high blood pressure; and more common in men than women.
MedCross Imaging - VASCULAR SCREENING

12. • Carotid Vascular Ultrasound looks at the arteries in the neck for Carotid Artery
Disease. Carotid Artery Disease occurs when the carotid arteries, the main blood vessels
that take blood to the brain, develop a buildup of plaque caused by hardening of the
arteries. When this build up becomes severe it can cause a stroke. Risk factors for
strokes are: high blood pressure; diabetes; smoking; high cholesterol, family history of
stroke; and irregular heartbeat, particularly atrial fibrillation.
• Leg Vascular Ultrasound looks for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). PAD is a
condition in which plaque builds up along the walls of the arteries that carry blood to
the arms and legs affecting blood circulation. People with PAD are three times more
likely to die of a heart attack or stroke than those without PAD. Risk factors for PAD
are: high blood pressure;

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