Ultrasound, also known as sonography, uses high-frequency sound waves to generate live images of tissues and organs. No radiation is used. The sound waves bounce off interior organs and the return echoes create images. Ultrasound is a useful, non-invasive way for your doctor to evaluate symptoms like pain, swelling and infection.
Ultrasound can be used to examine nearly every part of the body. Since the images are captured in real time, they show the structures and movement of organs, muscles and other tissues. They can even show the movement of blood through arteries and veins. Ultrasounds are commonly used to evaluate these areas of the body:
- Abdomen, including the gallbladder, liver, kidneys, pancreas, spleen, and appendix
- Breast, including evaluation of breast nodules
- Pelvis, including uterus and ovaries (gynecology)
- Scrotum/Testicles
- Thyroid
- Vascular (arteries and veins) including leg veins, carotid artery, aorta
- Brain or hips in infants
Ultrasound exams are available at the following Advanced Radiology locations:
Call to Schedule: 203-337-XRAY (9729)
Fairfield – 1055 Post Road
Shelton – Corporate Drive, Suite 182
Stamford – 1259 E Main Street
Stratford – 2876 Main Street
Trumbull – 15 Corporate Drive
Trumbull – Advanced Women’s Imaging Center, 15 Corporate Drive
Orange – 297 Boston Post Road
Wilton – 60 Danbury Road
Ultrasound Preparation and Instructions
Ultrasound exams are pain-free and usually take 20 to 30 minutes. The technologist places gel on the skin of the area to be examined, and then moves the ultrasound transducer, or wand, over the skin.
The preparation needed for an ultrasound study depends on the particular study your doctor requests. Please click on the appropriate link below.
Abdominal Ultrasound Preparation
Morning appointments: Nothing to eat or drink (except clear liquids) from midnight (12:00 AM) the evening before the exam. No breakfast or water in the morning. If you take oral medications, please take them with a minimal amount of water or, bring the medication to the office and take it immediately following the study.
Afternoon appointments: 5-hour food and liquid fast. Any meal before the fast cannot have dairy or fat within it.
Elastography Ultrasound Preparation
Morning appointments: Nothing to eat or drink (except clear liquids) from midnight (12:00 AM) the evening before the exam. No breakfast or water in the morning. If you take oral medications, please take them with a minimal amount of water or, bring the medication to the office and take it immediately following the study.
Afternoon appointments: 5-hour food and liquid fast. Any meal before the fast cannot have dairy or fat within it.
Breast Ultrasound Preparation
No preparation is required. If a biopsy is to be performed, no aspirin should be taken for 5-7 days prior to the procedure.
Pelvic Ultrasound Preparation
It is very important for your bladder to be full when you arrive since the distended bladder allows the radiologist to fully visualize the structures of the pelvis. You must drink one quart of water (four 8-oz. glasses) and FINISH it one hour before the exam. You MAY NOT URINATE after you’ve finished drinking the water. You may eat normally for breakfast and/or lunch.
Testicular/Scrotal Ultrasound preparation
No prior preparation is required for this exam.
A testicular or scrotal ultrasound evaluates the testes and surrounding structures for size, texture, fluid collections, and masses. Most often this examination is ordered to determine the cause of pain or discomfort and distinguish torsion (twisting of the testis on its cord) from an infection. It can help differentiate between cystic and solid lesions. It can often diagnose hernias. Ultrasound is also useful in identifying varicoceles (varicose veins in the scrotum) which may be a cause of male infertility.
Renal Ultrasound Preparation
A renal or retroperitoneal ultrasound is used to evaluate the kidneys and nearby structures. It is very important for your bladder to be full when you arrive since the distended bladder allows the radiologist to fully visualize the structures of the abdomen. You must drink one quart of water (four 8-oz. glasses) and FINISH it one hour before the exam. You MAY NOT URINATE after you’ve finished drinking the water. You may eat normally for breakfast and/or lunch.
Vascular Doppler Ultrasound (Color and Power) Preparation
No preparation is required.
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Preparation
No preparation is required.
Thyroid Ultrasound Preparation
No preparation is required.