Ultrasound
Department of Radiology
Time:
Date:
What is an Ultrasound?
Preparations
Ultrasound is an examination technique that uses highfrequency sound waves to make still and live video pictures
of the heart, digestive, reproductive or urinary tract, or any
other soft tissue structures within the body.
Pelvic or O.B. – Full Bladder
1. Start with an empty bladder.
2. Pelvis – Drink five 8-ounce glasses of water.
O.B. – Drink four 8-ounce glasses of water.
3. Finish all water one hour before appointment time.
Example: Your appointment is at 11:30 a.m. You
should be finished drinking your water by 10:30 a.m.
4. Do not empty your bladder.
Pelvic and early O.B. exams usually include an
endovaginal ultrasound following the external scan.
Unlike X-rays or radiation, no harmful effects have been
reported from the use of ultrasound in more than two
decades.
During the Exam
When you report for your exam, you may be asked to wear
a gown. This is done primarily to protect your clothes from
the ultrasound gel that will be applied to the skin overlaying
the area to be examined.
You will be asked to lie on an examining table next to the
ultrasound scanner. Though the machine may appear complex to you, it will be operated by a skilled and experienced
sonographer who has been specially educated and trained
in the use of ultrasound examination equipment.
After the gel is applied, a hand-held instrument called a
transducer will be guided slowly across your skin.
The procedure is painless with no short or long-term side
effects, and it is quick — usually completed in less than 45
minutes.
Kidney or Bladder – Partially Filled Bladder
1. Drink three 8-ounce glasses of water one hour
before your appointment time.
Example: Your appointment is at 11:30 a.m. You
should be finished drinking your water by 10:30 a.m.
2. Do not empty your bladder.
Abdomen – Fasting
Do not eat or drink after midnight the night before
the exam.
Note: Abdomen may include any or all of the following:
gallbladder, liver, pancreas, spleen, aorta, inferior vena
cava (IVC), biliary tree and kidneys.
No Preparations
Thyroid, Testicles, Carotid, Extremities (DVT), Breast.
Please Note:
After the Exam
When the exam is over, you may be asked to remain on the
examining table for a few minutes while the sonographer
reviews the ultrasound pictures with the radiologist.
Because the ultrasound still needs to be interpreted by a
radiologist, you will not receive the test results from the
sonographer. The findings will be reported to your physician
who will, in turn, pass the results on to you.
1. If you are more than ten minutes late or not
appropriately prepped, your appointment may be
rescheduled.
2. No cameras/video equipment are allowed in the
exam rooms.
3. Children need to be supervised by an adult.
Plan to spend approximately one hour in the X-ray
Department. Please let us know if you cannot keep
your appointment.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation Radiology Facilities
Dublin Center*
4050 Dublin Blvd.
Dublin, CA 94568
925-875-6105
Fremont Center*
3200 Kearney St.
Fremont, CA 94538
510-498-2770
Los Altos Center
370 Distel Circle
Los Altos, CA 94022
650-254-5259
Palo Alto Center*
795 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, CA 94301
650-330-4566
Redwood Shores Health Center*
290 Redwood Shores Parkway
Redwood City, CA 94065
650-330-4566
*Ultrasound examinations are performed at these locations. Please note that appointments for our Redwood Shores location
are made through our Palo Alto Center.
FORM 143201 (March 2009)