What is an ultrasound?
Ultrasound provides a noninvasive way of looking inside the human body to image anatomy. Anatomic Imaging with ultrasound is accomplished with a pulse-echo technique. Pulses of ultrasound are generated by a transducer and sent into the patient where they produce echos at organ boundaries and within tissues. These echoes then return to the transducer where they are detected and then presented on the display of a sonographic instrument. The ultrasound instrument processes the echoes and presents them as visible dots, which form the anatomic image on the display.
Ultrasound uses high frequency soundwaves to reflect off internal body parts. The reflected waves are picked up by the probe and relayed to the machine. The sounds (echoes) are electronically changed into pictures/images. The machine displays distances and intensities of the echoes on the screen, forming a two dimensional image. Our technologically advanced machines will take numerous two dimensional images and compile them into one three dimensional image.
Ultrasound (US), also referred to as sonography, is an imaging technique which generates high resolution pictures of the body and internal organs with the use of high-frequency sound waves. The principle of ultrasound is similar to sonar used in the ocean; the sound wave’s reflections are recorded and displayed as a real-time, visual image. No ionizing radiation (x-ray) is involved in ultrasound imaging. An abdominal or pelvic ultrasound image is a useful way of examining internal organs, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, and pelvic organs. Because ultrasound images are captured in real time, they can show movement of internal tissues and organs and enable physicians to see blood flow.
Ultrasound is the use of high frequency sound waves that reflect off of a body structure to form an image and the procedure is painless and safe .Ultrasound can detect damaged tissues, identify changing conditions and locate abnormal growths. Since ultrasound uses no ionizing radiation, it is an ideal test for use during pregnancy to check on fetal development.
Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to produce images. Sound waves are sent and received through a small hand held device known as a transducer. The returning sound waves are used to produce the images. New ultrasound technology allows us to look in great detail at soft tissue abnormalities around joints, tendons, and muscles. In experienced hands, it is a highly accurate technique, which can be used to diagnose a large variety of soft tissue abnormalities. Hospital for Special Surgery has expertise in musculoskeletal ultrasound which is not readily available at routine ultrasound departments.
