Bone Scan
Pediatric Ultrasound
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 for adults and children.
Ultrasound does not require a child to stay still for long periods of time as do other imaging techniques. Consequently, sedation is rarely needed. Additionally, the equipment used for an ultrasound is much less intimidating than the large and noisy scanners used for MRI and CT.
Babies are uniquely suited for diagnosis with ultrasound due to their small size and lack of structures that can block sound waves, such as mature bones. In fact, there are ultrasound examinations that can only be performed on babies and children. Pediatric radiologists routinely use these special techniques to see the brain, spinal cord, hips and stomach in newborns and infants.
Ultrasound is particularly useful in evaluating abdominal pain in children. An abdominal ultrasound allows the pediatric radiologist to examine the liver, gallbladder, spleen, appendix, pancreas, intestines, kidneys and bladder.
This page contains the following information about pediatric ultrasound:
- Reasons for Having an Ultrasound
- Risks Involved in an Ultrasound
- Conditions to Let Your Doctor Know About
- Insurance Coverage
- Exam Locations
- Scheduling this Exam
- Preparation Guidelines
- Support for Your Child During the Exam
- What to Expect During the Exam
- Recovering from this Imaging Exam
- Getting Your Child's Exam Results
- Additional Information
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. 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.
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
Ultrasound exams are usually covered by insurance when ordered by a physician. Check with your insurance carrier to be sure. Please bring your insurance card with you to your exam.
Exam Locations
Pediatric ultrasounds may be performed at the following INVISION partner hospitals in the Denver, Colorado area. Exam results are evaluated by INVISION radiologists.
- Medical Center of Aurora
- Porter Adventist Hospital
- Sky Ridge Medical Center
- The Children's Hospital
Some pediatric ultrasound exams are also performed at the following Invision locations:
Please note:
INVISION is partially owned by Radiology Imaging Associates (RIA); consequently, your radiologist’s lab coat and your bill, if you receive one, may say RIA rather than INVISION.
Scheduling this Exam
To schedule a pediatric ultrasound at an INVISION location, call 720-493-3700. To schedule a pediatric ultrasound at a hospital, please call the hospital where the exam will be performed.
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.
| Abdominal Ultrasound |
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| Pelvic Ultrasound | Full Bladder Exam
Fasting Exam
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It is important that you also provide emotional support for your child before and during the procedure. If your child is old enough to understand, explain the procedure to him or her. Let him or her know that the exam won’t hurt. Also reassure your child that you will be able to remain in the room during the ultrasound.
Support for Your Child during the Exam
We allow up to two adults in the ultrasound room with your child to provide support.
What to Expect During the Exam
When you arrive for your appointment, your child may need to partially disrobe or change into a gown, depending on the type of ultrasound he or she is receiving. INVISION provides secure lockers for personal items during the exam. The technologist will explain the procedure, answer any questions you have, and position your child on a padded table for the exam.
With all ultrasound exams, a transducer is placed against the area to be evaluated. A transducer is a handheld device that sends sound waves into the body. It also records the echoes that come back from the various body tissues. These sound waves are measures and converted into a continuous image that displays on a computer screen.
A clear, warm gel will be applied to your child’s skin to help the sound from the transducer penetrate into the body. The technologist will move the transducer firmly across the area to be imaged while watching the real-time image on a computer screen. Your child won’t feel any pain during the procedure, but may feel some mild discomfort from the pressure applied to the transducer.
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 or longer, depending on the type and purpose of the ultrasound. After the exam, the technologist will help your child remove any remaining gel and he or she can change back into his or her clothes.
Recovering from this Imaging Exam
Your child can return to his or her normal activities immediately after the exam.
Getting Your Child's Exam Results
Trained and experienced pediatric radiologists interpret all exams, and then report the specific results to the physician who ordered your exam. Your physician will usually receive the report on the day of the exam. Your physician will then pass the results onto you. Our radiologists and technologists will be happy to answer questions about the exam procedure itself; however, they will not provide the exam results at the time the exam is performed.
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 ultrasounds.
