Norman Regional Health System offers ultrasounds at the following locations.
Norman Regional Hospital located at 3300 W. Tecumseh, Norman, OK 73072.
Norman Regional Heart Plaza 3500 HealthPlex Parkway, Norman, OK 73072.
Norman Regional Moore 700 S. Telephone Rd. Moore, OK 73160.
Norman Regional Nine 2000 Ann Branden Blvd. Norman, OK 73071.
What is Ultrasound?
Ultrasound imaging, also called sonography is a procedure that uses high
frequency sound waves to view internal organs and produce a picture of
the inside of the body. Ultrasound is usually a painless medical test
that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. The long
term effect of repeated ultrasound exposure is not fully known and therefore
is recommended only when medically indicated.
How does Ultrasound Work?
Ultrasound imaging is based on sonar principles that are similar to that
used by bats, ships and fishermen. As a sound wave travels through the
body it produces echoes. By measuring these echo waves it is possible
to determine distance, shape and size of objects inside. These images
are then displayed as a real-time black and white picture on the monitor.
Ultrasound also has Doppler capabilities, which is a special technique
that evaluates blood as it flows through a vessel. It can detect blood
flow in the body’s major arteries and veins in the abdomen, arms,
legs and neck.
Ultrasound waves can pass easily through fluid and soft tissue, making
it a useful tool when looking at organs such as a uterus during pregnancy,
gallbladder, liver and heart. There are also limitations to ultrasound,
it cannot pass through bone or air. Therefore it is difficult for ultrasound
to evaluate areas around and including bone, stomach and intestines. Patients
who are obese are also more difficult to image with ultrasound because
body tissue weakens the sound wave as it passes through the body and deeper
structures may not be well visualized.
What are some common uses and types of ultrasound?
Ultrasound exams help to diagnose a variety of conditions and assess organs
following illness. Physicians use ultrasound to aid in diagnosing symptoms
such as: pain, swelling and infection. Ultrasound is also utilized for
diagnostic procedures that may detect abnormalities and conditions during
pregnancy.
Ultrasound is useful in examining many internal organs and vasculature
in the body, including but not limited to the:
Heart
Vasculature (veins and arteries of the abdomen, neck, arms and legs)
Liver
Gallbladder
Spleen
Pancreas
Kidneys
Bladder
Uterus, ovaries and fetus (unborn child) in pregnant patients
Thyroid and parathyroid gland
Scrotum (testicles)
Breasts
Echo
Ultrasound is also used for guidance in needle biopsies in order to obtain
tissue samples from a specific site or drainage of abnormal fluid collections.
Doppler ultrasound can help a physician evaluate blockages to blood flow,
narrowing of vessels due to plaque formation as well as tumors or congenital
malformations.
Exam Preparation
You should wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing for your ultrasound
exam. You will need to remove all clothing and jewelry in the area to
be examined.
You may be asked to wear a gown during some procedures.
Other preparation depends on the type of examination you will have. For
some scans such as a liver or gallbladder ultrasound, you physician will
instruct you not to eat or drink for 6-8 hours before the test. For other
types of ultrasound (obstetric and pelvic)you may be asked to drink up
to 48 oz of water and not to pass urine for a few hours before your exam
so that your bladder is full when the scan begins. A full bladder helps
improve the view of the uterus for optimal imaging. Please consult with
your doctor as to what type of preparation you must take before your ultrasound
examination.
What to Expect
When to Arrive
Please arrive at the facility approximately 15 minutes before your scheduled
appointment time. This will allow time for Registration to complete all
of your paperwork.
Procedure
Most ultrasounds are completed within 30 minutes to an hour.
For most ultrasound exams the patient is laying face-up on an examination
table. Once you are positioned the sonographer will apply warm gel on
your skin to achieve good contact, and then press the ultrasound transducer
firmly against your body, moving it back and forth over the area of interest
until the desired images are captured. Ultrasound waves are inaudible
and cause no sensation. You may experience slight discomfort, especially
in areas of tenderness, from the pressure as the transducer is pressed
against the area being examined.
When Doppler ultrasound is used to look at blood vessels, you may actually
hear pulse-like sounds that change in pitch as the blood flow is being
measured and evaluated.
Some ultrasound exams require a transducer that is attached to a probe
to be inserted into an opening of the body and may produce some discomfort.
These exams include:
Transesophageal echocardiogram: The transducer is inserted into the esophagus
to obtain images of the heart.
Transvaginal ultrasound: The transducer is inserted into a woman’s
vagina to view the uterus and ovaries.
Transrectal ultrasound: The transducer is inserted into a man’s rectum
to view the prostate.
When ultrasound is performed in conjunction with a biopsy or other type
of interventional procedure a local anesthetic reduces any discomfort.
Once the examination is complete, the gel will be wiped off your skin,
the images will be sent to the radiologist for review and you will be
released and should be able to resume normal activity.
Results
A radiologist, who is a physician specially trained to supervise and interpret
radiology examinations, will analyze the ultrasound images and send a
signed report to your referring physician. Your ultrasound results will
be sent to your referring physician within approximately 24 business hours.
Please contact your physician to discuss your ultrasound results. In some
cases the radiologist may discuss preliminary results with you at the
conclusion of your examination.
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