An ultrasound procedure is a non-invasive (the skin is not pierced) diagnostic examination used to evaluate specific organs and systems in the body.  Ultrasound exams use high frequency sound waves and specialized computer systems to produce images of internal body structures.  These procedures are routinely used to examine many parts of the body such as the abdomen and female pelvis as well as superficial structures including the breasts, thyroid and scrotum.  During pregnancy, ultrasounds are performed to evaluate the development of the fetus.

Specialized technologists called Sonographers, use a hand held transducer that sends ultrasonic sound waves into the body at a frequency too high to be heard.  A clear conducting gel is placed between the transducer and the patient's skin to allow for smooth movement over the skin and to eliminate air between the skin and the transducer.  The ultrasonic sound waves pass harmlessly through the skin and other body tissues to the organs and structures within the body.  As the sound waves bounce off the organs and return to the transducer, the reflected waves are converted by the transducer and computer into an electronic picture of the organs and tissues being evaluated.

Ultrasounds are used to view and evaluate internal organs and systems as they function (in "real time", like a live TV broadcast) and to assess blood flow through various vessels by using an additional mode of ultrasound techonology called Doppler.  The Doppler probe within the transducer is used to evaluate the velocity (speed and direction) of blood flow in any given vessel.  As mentioned earlier, this is a non-invasive procedure used not only to diagnosis disease processes, but also to possibly predict acute disease events such as strokes before they occur.  This provides your physician with the ability to utilize preventive health measures as well as therapeutic medical care to treat many vascular diseases such as PVD (peripheral vascular disease) and DVT (deep vein thrombosis).

At East Georgia Regional Medical Center, our Ultrasound Department is employed by highly trained sonographers who work closely with our Radiologists as a team to provide our community with the highest quality in diagnostic ultrasound.  We offer the latest technology and technical experience you've come to expect from all of our diagnostic services at EGRMC's Radiology Department.

For more information about our Ultrasound Department at East Georgia Regional Medical Center, call our Radiology Department at 912.486.1620.

http://www.radiologyinfo.org