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Read MoreMost people associate ultrasounds with getting a first peek at a baby on the way, but ultrasounds can also be used to diagnose or monitor conditions in many parts of the body, including the liver, stomach, pancreas, kidneys, breasts, pelvic area and musculoskeletal system. Our technologists are here for your ultrasound exams—close to home at all our South Jersey locations, including our outpatient AMI at Inspira imaging facilities.
What is an Ultrasound?
Ultrasounds use high-frequency sound waves to generate images of soft tissue—something that traditional X-ray machines cannot do well. Ultrasounds are safe, painless and don’t use radiation. Technologists can perform ultrasounds at many of our locations, including our outpatient AMI at Inspira imaging locations.
How Ultrasounds Work
During an ultrasound exam, high-frequency sound waves—far above the range of human hearing—are emitted into your body through a handheld device called a transducer. These sound waves get reflected back from your internal organs and are collected by the transducer. A computer records and interprets the resulting echoes and then generates an image of the area being examined. Most ultrasounds are conducted outside the body, but sometimes the transducer is inserted into a natural body opening, such as the esophagus, rectum or vagina, to examine internal organs.
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Types of Ultrasounds
Abdominal Ultrasound
Abdominal ultrasounds are used to examine organs such as the liver, stomach and pancreas. Abdominal ultrasounds are also commonly used to monitor a baby's progress during pregnancy.
Breast Ultrasound
A breast ultrasound allows physicians to establish a 360-degree view of breast tissue.
Kidney Ultrasound
Ultrasounds of your kidneys can identify kidney stones, cysts and tumors.
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Pelvic Ultrasound
Pelvic ultrasounds can examine the uterus, cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
MSK Ultrasound
MSK Ultrasounds produce pictures of muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and joints throughout the body. They are used to help diagnose sprains, strains, tears, trapped nerves, arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions.
What to Expect When you Have an Ultrasound
Ultrasounds normally take just 20-30 minutes and are painless. Before your ultrasound, you may be asked to remove jewelry and clothing or change into a gown. You’ll lay on an examination table and a technologist, called a sonographer, will apply a water-based gel to the area of your body that’s being examined. This gel helps prevent air pockets, which can block sound waves.
The sonographer will place the transducer on your body and move it around to capture images. If needed, the transducer may be attached to a probe that will be inserted into your body through a natural opening, such as the esophagus to examine your heart, rectum to examine your prostate or vagina to examine your uterus and ovaries.
