Ultrasounds

Ultrasound is a valuable imaging technique that avoids radiation, diagnoses a wide range of conditions, and shows real-time movement inside your body. Board-certified radiology expert George Stanley, MD, and the team at University Diagnostic Institute in Winter Park, Orlando, and Lake Mary, Florida, specialize in creating clear, detailed ultrasounds in the comfort of a welcoming environment where you can depend on personalized care and prompt results. Call the nearest office today or book online to schedule a diagnostic ultrasound.

What is ultrasound?

Ultrasound is a safe imaging technique using high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the tissues and organs inside your body. Your University Diagnostic Institute provider uses a handheld device (transducer) to send sound waves through your skin and into your body.

The sound waves bounce off tissues and return to the transducer. The device sends the information to a computer, creating detailed images.

What are the different types of ultrasound?

Conventional ultrasound generates images of structures, revealing details about their size, shape, thickness, and location.

Doppler ultrasound captures real-time movement. You may need a Doppler ultrasound to show the blood flow through arteries or to see muscle movement in your heart.

Another type, color ultrasound, combines structural and movement data, generating color-coded images showing the speed and direction of movement.

In many cases, your University Diagnostic Institute provider performs several types simultaneously to obtain a comprehensive image of possible problems inside your body.

When would I need an ultrasound?

Since ultrasound doesn’t use radiation (like X-rays), it’s safe enough to use during pregnancy to monitor the baby’s health. Your provider can also repeat the imaging if needed to monitor your progress.

The list of possible conditions diagnosed with ultrasound is long, but here are a few examples:

• Deep vein thrombosis
• Peripheral artery disease
• Aneurysms
• Brain tumors and injuries
• Breast lumps and cysts
• Kidney stones
• Enlarged spleen
• Gallbladder disease
• Appendicitis
• Endometriosis
• Ovarian cysts
• Uterine fibroids
• Hernias
• Tendonitis
• Bursitis
• Strokes
• Sprains and strains
• Arthritis

Ultrasound reveals crucial details. For example, it shows if a lump in your breast is solid or fluid-filled. A solid cyst is more likely to be cancerous, while a fluid-filled cyst is usually benign (not cancerous).

What should I expect during ultrasound imaging?

Your University Diagnostic Institute provider positions you on the table so they can easily reach the skin above the targeted body area. They put a warm gel on your skin and place the transducer on top of the gel.

Then, they slide the transducer over the area while applying gentle pressure, moving the transducer until they get the best image of the tissues.

Though you will feel the slight pressure and movement of the device, ultrasound doesn’t cause any discomfort. Depending on the imaging area, your ultrasound session may take 30-60 minutes.

Call University Diagnostic Institute or use online booking today if you need ultrasound imaging.