The Radiology Clinic provides a safe, simple way that will accurately capture images of the tissues, organs, and other structures of your body and diagnose various medical conditions. We have highly qualified staff that will ensure your safety and convenience. Though there are many different types of ultrasounds, they all work in a similar way, using harmless sound waves to create an image of what’s going on inside the patient. To learn more about our ultrasound services, contact us at 301-217-0500.
Some of the many ultrasounds performed at The Radiology Clinic are as follows:
During the ultrasound, a hand-held device called a transducer will be lightly pressed against the skin, sending inaudible sound waves into the body. When these sound waves strike the body organs and tissues, it will bounce back to the receiver of the transducer. The computer will measure and display the recorded sound waves in the form of a real-time picture.
You may need an OB Sonogram to:
- Determine the presence of a fetus
- Estimate the age of pregnancy
- Monitor pregnancy, the condition and position of the fetus, and the position of the placenta
- Evaluate the amount of amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus
- Check for opening or shortening of the cervix
- Monitor the development of the fetus
Here at The Radiology Clinic, a pelvic ultrasound typically consists of 2 parts:
Transabdominal (TA) pelvic ultrasound
For transabdominal ultrasound, you will need to have your bladder full as it will enable your organs to show up more clearly on the imaging. A gel will be applied on the transducer before it is placed gently on the skin of the abdomen. Pelvic ultrasound is usually started with transabdominal imaging to get a survey of the entire pelvis because transvaginal imaging although more detailed cannot see the peripheral most portions of the pelvis. Transabdominal ultrasound can be used, but is not limited, to the following purposes:
- Monitoring pregnancy
- Evaluating for pelvic masses
- Evaluating the uterus
- Evaluating the ovaries
- Evaluating for free fluid in the pelvis
Transvaginal (TV) ultrasound
Transvaginal ultrasound is a more detailed high-resolution ultrasound of the pelvis, including the uterus and ovaries, utilizing a special ultrasound probe carefully inserted into the vagina. A pelvic transducer (probe) will be covered with a special hygienic cover and will be inserted into the woman’s vagina. This will give the sonographer and the radiologist a closer view of the uterus, the ovaries, and the structures adjacent to the ovaries and uterus.Arterial and Venous Doppler ultrasounds are safe and non-invasive procedures that use sound waves to examine the blood flow in the arteries and veins of the body. When the sound waves bounce off the body’s tissues and cells, it will create an image of how the blood flows in the body. Arterial and Venous Doppler ultrasounds can be used, but are not limited, to the following purposes:
- Check blood vessels for narrowings and atherosclerotic plaque
- Diagnose deep vein thrombosis (DVT), superficial thrombophlebitis, and other similar conditions
- Diagnose vascular tumors and vascular malformations
- Monitor the blood flow of the pregnant woman or the fetus
The Radiology Clinic performs a thyroid or neck ultrasound after a thyroid function test or a neck examination and our doctors can find abnormalities in the thyroid gland and adjacent neck soft tissues. A thyroid/neck ultrasound can be used, but is not limited, to the following purposes:
- Examine a lump in the neck, especially if it is coming from the thyroid or other nearby structures
- Evaluate the appearance of thyroid nodules and determine if it requires further examination like a biopsy
- Monitor the appearance and growth of thyroid nodules
- Determine if the cyst, nodule, or tumor is fluid-filled or solid as well as the blood flow in it
During a Musculoskeletal sonogram, an ultrasound is conducted to examine the musculoskeletal system of the body. The sound waves bouncing off the muscles and tissues in the body will create images to show the conditions of the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints of the body. Musculoskeletal sonograms can be used, but are not limited, to the following purposes:
- Diagnose sprains, tears, and other soft tissue injuries such as rotator cuff and Achilles tendon
- Diagnose traumatic, inflammatory, and degenerative conditions of musculoskeletal structures
- Detect accumulating fluid in the soft tissues as well as joint effusions and inflammation of the synovial membranes of joints
- Examine for changes of rheumatoid arthritis
- Monitor benign and malignant soft tissue tumors and other cysts
