Frequently Asked Questions: Ultrasound

Q. What will the exam be like?

A. The technologist performing the ultrasound study on you is known as a sonographer. All Zwanger-Pesiri technologists are highly skilled and educated and work under close supervision with our radiologists. Our radiologists are physicians who specialize in the study of various imaged tests such as X-Ray, Ultrasound, Mammography, CT, MRI and Nuclear Medicine. A Zwanger-Pesiri radiologist will monitor the exam as it progresses to assure that the most accurate results are obtained from your examination.

The technologist will assist you on to the examination table. An oil or transmission gel will be applied to the area of your body that will be examined. A transducer will be moved slowly over the body part being imaged. The transducer sends a signal to an on-board computer which processes the data and produces the ultrasound image. It is from this image that the diagnosis is made.

You won't feel a thing except for the slight pressure and movement of the transducer over the part of the body being imaged. It is important that you remain still and relaxed during the procedure. The ultrasound images will appear on a monitor similar to a TV screen and are recorded either on paper or film for a detailed study.

Q. How long will the exam take?

A. The exam usually takes from 30 to 60 minutes, depending upon the anatomy under study. You may be required to drink water to enhance the quality of the picture (sound travels better through water) and this could lengthen the time of the exam.

Q. How will I learn the results?

A. The results will be made available to you from your designated health care provider, practitioner, or radiologist depending upon who was your initial contact.

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