Radiology Group | Exam Descriptions

Imaging Excellence in the Quad Cities Since 1945

Ultrasound (also called sonography) is an imaging exam that uses sound waves instead of x-rays or radiation to produce images of the internal organs and tissues of your body. It also enables your Radiologist to visualize blood flow through major vessels to see and evaluate blockages, plaque, or clots. During an ultrasound exam, sound waves bounce off organs and tissues like an echo to create pictures or images. These images can be viewed in "real time" on an attached computer monitor by your Technologist. "Snapshots" of the images are captured for your Radiologist to review and interpret.

Ultrasound imaging is useful for examining many internal organs, including but not limited to the liver, reproductive organs, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys and bladder. It is often used to locate or confirm the presence of tumors, and identify the source of many abdominal pains, such as stones in the gall bladder or kidney. During pregnancy it is used to monitor the health and development of the embryo or fetus. Ultrasound examinations of the thyroid gland can detect abnormalities that may cause the gland to dysfunction (hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism). Ultrasound examinations also aid in guiding biopsies and other minimally invasive procedures. At Radiology Group, ultrasound-guided thyroid biopsies are performed.

Click on the thumbnails for a larger view.

Acuson ultrasound unit with computer monitor

Home | Contact Us | Sitemap