Ultrasound / NIVA

Ultrasound, also called sonography, is an exam that uses high-frequency sound waves far above the range of human hearing to obtain images of the inside of the body. Sound waves are directed at a particular area of the body. The different body tissues reflect the waves back in varying degrees. The echoed waves are recorded and displayed as a continuous real-time image on a computer monitor. Since the images are real-time, ultrasound has the benefit of allowing the radiologist to see organs in motion, such as the movement of heart valves and blood flow.

Ultrasound relies on sound waves rather than radiation to produce images, so it is ideal in many settings. This imaging technique is becoming increasingly important in the diagnosis of medical conditions in many different organs. It is also used to evaluate pregnancy conditions.

Noninvasive vascular assessment (NIVA) is a type of exam that uses Doppler ultrasound to evaluate the circulatory system. Doppler ultrasound has the advantage of providing information in various formats: audible sounds, continuous color images of the blood flow, and graphs showing changes in blood velocity.

This page contains the following information about ultrasound:

Reasons for Having an Ultrasound

Ultrasound has many applications. It can be used to look at many organs and body parts to check for disease or abnormalities. It is also used during pregnancy to check the development of the fetus. Since ultrasound provides a continuous real-time image rather than a still image, it can be particularly useful for assessing the function of body parts and as imaging guidance when performing other procedures, such as a biopsy.

Ultrasound is used to check for many conditions including:


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Risks Involved in an Ultrasound

No radiation is used in this examination and there are no known health risks.

Conditions to Let Our Doctor Know About

There are no conditions that will interfere with your ultrasound exam.

Insurance Coverage

Ultrasounds are usually covered by insurance. You would typically be referred by another physician for an ultrasound to investigate a problem you're having or evaluate a fetus. Check with your insurance carrier to be sure.

Exam Locations

An ultrasound can be done at the following INVISION locations in the Denver, Colorado area:

Scheduling This Exam

To schedule an ultrasound or NIVA, call 720-493-3700.

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Preparation Guidelines

While many ultrasounds require no advanced preparation; there are some that do. Following is information for more common ultrasound exams that do require preparation. Please contact us at 720-493-3700 if you have any questions.

Arterial NIVA

  • No food or drink after midnight the day of the exam. (Diabetic patients may have juice or a light breakfast.)
  • Take all prescribed medications.

Abdominal (Not Renal)

  • For morning appointments, no food or drink after midnight the day of the exam (except a small amount of water for medications).
  • For afternoon appointments, no food or liquid after 7am (except a small amount of water for medications).
  • Arrive 20 minutes prior to your appointment time.

Pelvic

Full Bladder Exam
  • Drink 32 to 48 ounces of water (1-1.5 quarts) one hour before the exam and do not void.
  • Arrive 20 minutes prior to your appointment time.

Endovaginal pelvic US
No special preparation necessary.

Pregnancy

  • Drink 16-24 ounces of water one hour before the exam and do not void.
  • Arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time.
Prostate
  • Use 4½ oz. Fleets Enema 2-3 hours before the exam.
  • Drink 16 oz. of water one hour before the exam and do not void.
  • If a biopsy will or may be done, take 500 mg. of Cipro four times the morning and night of the exam and the morning and night the day after the exam.
  • If a biopsy will or may be done, no blood thinning medications, including aspirin and coumadin, for 48 hours before and after the exam. (Contact your physician to ensure that it’s safe.)
  • If on Coumadin, a PT/INR blood test must be done prior to a scheduled biopsy of the prostate. Please contact your referring physician about this test, as INVISION does not perform blood work.
  • Arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time.
Renal (Kidney)
  • For morning appointments, no food or drink after midnight the day of the exam.
  • For afternoon appointments, no food or liquid for 6 hours prior to the exam.
  • Drink 32 ounces of water (1 quart) one hour before the exam and do not void.
  • Arrive 20 minutes prior to your appointment time.


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What to Expect During Your Exam

When you arrive for your appointment, you may be asked to partially disrobe or change into a gown, depending on the type of ultrasound you are receiving. INVISION provides secure lockers for your personal items during your exam. The sonographer will explain the procedure, answer any questions you have, and position you on a padded table for the exam.

With all ultrasound exams, a transducer (a handheld device that produces and records sound waves) is placed against the area to be evaluated. In most cases, a clear, warm gel is applied to the skin to help the sound penetrate into your body. The technologist moves the transducer across the area to be imaged while watching a continuous image on a computer screen. You won’t feel any pain during the procedure, but you may feel some mild discomfort.

The technologist may leave the room to show images to a radiologist. The radiologist may come in during the exam to watch the ultrasound or perform part of the exam personally.

An ultrasound exam can take from 20 minutes to two hours, depending on the type and purpose of the ultrasound. After the exam, the technologist will help you remove any remaining gel and you can change back into your clothes.

Some experiences during an ultrasound vary, depending on the type and purpose of the ultrasound. Following is more specific information for certain ultrasounds.

Arterial NIVA

An arterial NIVA evaluates the flow of blood from your heart to your legs or arms. The technologist will move the transducer across each leg or arm while watching the ultrasound images on a monitor. He or she may occasionally stop to take a picture of the image. He or she will also periodically listen to the sound of your blood flow. One extremity will be done at a time. At certain times you may be asked to hold your breath. The technologist may also gently compress certain spots on your legs or arms during the exam.

Part of this exam will include placing blood pressure cuffs at different levels on your arms or legs to measure blood flow and pressure.

If this exam is being performed on your legs, your physician may order that it be done with exercise. If exercise is required, you will walk on a treadmill for a specific amount of time, and then your blood flow and pressure will be measured again.

Carotid NIVA

A carotid NIVA evaluates the carotid arteries in the neck for obstructions. The technologist will move the transducer across each side of your neck while watching the ultrasound images on a monitor. He or she may occasionally stop to take a picture of the image. He or she will also periodically listen to the sound of your blood flow. At certain times you may be asked to hold your breath. The technologist may also gently compress certain spots on your neck during the exam.

Venous NIVA

A venous NIVA checks for blood clots in the legs. The technologist will move the transducer across each leg from groin to ankle while watching the ultrasound images on a monitor. He or she may occasionally stop to take a picture of the image. He or she will also periodically listen to the sound of your blood flow. One leg will be done at a time. At certain times you may be asked to hold your breath. The technologist may also compress certain spots on your legs during the exam.

Pelvic Ultrasound

A pelvic ultrasound may require that a specially designed transducer be gently inserted into the vagina. This may be done instead of or in addition to an ultrasound over the skin in the pelvic area with a regular transducer. There may be mild discomfort from the pressure of the vaginal probe. If the pelvic ultrasound is being performed to image the uterus, saline may be injected into the uterus so the vaginal probe can get more detailed images of the uterine cavity. This is called a sonohysterogram.

Prostate Ultrasound

With a prostate ultrasound, a specially designed transducer is gently inserted into the rectum. There may be mild discomfort from the pressure of the rectal probe.

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Recovering from Your Exam

You can return to your normal activities immediately after your exam.

Getting Your Exam Results

If your exam was ordered by another physician, a radiologist will interpret the exam and report the specific results to that physician. In turn, your physician will pass the results onto you. Our radiologists and technologists will be happy to answer questions about the exam procedure itself; however, you will not receive your results from the technologist who performs your exam.

If your exam was ordered by an INVISION radiologist, you will receive your results from the radiologist after the exam.

Additional Information

The information on this page was taken in part from some of the following web sites. Visit these sites for additional information on ultrasound.

Sources

Additional Sites

 

Ultrasound is used to look at many organs and body parts to check for disease or abnormalities, as well as during pregnancy to check fetal development. A noninvasive vascular assessment (NIVA) is a type of exam that uses Doppler ultrasound to evaluate the circulatory system.