Ultrasound examinations on all parts of the body are available for both adult and pediatric patients. Obstetrical and gynecological applications are also offered. Special applications of ultrasound include:
- Breast
- Prostate and other cancer detection
- Guidance for biopsy
- Percutaneous (through the skin) aspiration
- Hernia evaluation
- Abscess drainage
- Intraoperative procedures
- Musculoskeletal (bone, joint and tissue) applications
An ultrasound works by using a transducer that produces and receives silent, high frequency sound waves. The transducer is usually a hand-held instrument that is placed against the body and slowly passed over the area to be examined. Sound waves pass through the skin into the body. As the waves strike against various organs, they send echoes back to the transducer. The echoes are changed into electrical energy by the transducer. The energy shows up as images on a display screen. Films of the images are then taken for further study and interpretation.
