Abdominal Ultrasound
During abdominal exams high frequency ultrasound waves are used to take pictures of the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts, kidneys, spleen, pylorus and appendix.
Preparation
- Do not have anything to eat or drink after midnight the day before your exam.
- Continue taking medication as usual. You may take small sips of water to swallow pills.
Not eating or drinking allows a better view of all your organs by limiting bowel gas (which destroys ultrasound waves). Not eating or drinking also gives the gallbladder time to fill completely. If you do eat, the gallbladder will be contracted and will not be able to be examined properly, meaning your exam will need to be rescheduled to another day.
Brain Ultrasound
Neurosonography or Brain Ultrasound is the use of high frequency ultrasound waves to view the brain and its inner fluid chambers. This is done by placing an ultrasound probe on the "soft spot" (open fontanelle) of babies up to one year of age.
Preparation
There is no preparation required for this type of exam.
Breast Ultrasound
Please visit our
mammography program to learn more.
Early First Trimester (eFTS)
Early First Trimester Screening (eFTS) is a multi-part test that provides a woman with her personal risk factor of having a child with certain chromosomal abnormalities (such as Down's syndrome).
Ultrasound is used to measure a small fluid space behind the neck of the fetus called the Nuchal Translucency. This measurement along with your bloodwork results, age, and medical history will be used by specialists to determine your risk factor.
Preparation
- Please bring your North York eFTS forms with you to the exam.
- The technologist MUST fill out specific measurements on your form before you can bring it to the lab to get your blood work done.
- A full bladder is required for this exam.
- Please FINISH drinking 5-6 large glasses of water one hour prior to your exam time.
- Do not empty your bladder.
Obstetrical Ultrasound – Routine Exam
Routine Obstetrical ultrasound screening is used in pregnancy and is carried out between 18-21 weeks to evaluate the uterus, placenta, and fetal anatomy and growth.
How do I prepare for an obstetrical ultrasound?
- A full bladder is required for the exam.
- Please finish drinking 5-6 large glasses of water one (1) hour prior to your exam time.
- Do not empty your bladder.
A full bladder pushes your bowel out of the way, allowing the technologist to view the fetus, lower uterus and cervix. The full bladder (like any liquid) also acts as a sound enhancer allowing more detailed, higher resolution images by ultrasound.
What can I expect during an obstetrical ultrasound?
This type of ultrasound requires a number of images. The exam usually takes 45-60 minutes but may take as long as 90 minutes. The exam is done in two parts:
Part 1
- During this portion of your exam only the expectant mother is allowed in the room.
- The technologist uses this time to thoroughly evaluate your baby and to acquire standard images that are then reviewed by the radiologist.
Part 2
- During this part of the exam additional family members are welcome in the room and a “live” ultrasound of the baby will be shown to everyone at the same time.
Please note that sometimes the baby just might not be in the best position to see a particular body part. You may be asked to return on another day to complete the exam. This is not uncommon and should not alarm you.
Finding Out Your Baby’s Gender
- The ultrasound technologist will make every effort to image the baby’s gender.
- Once the image is taken it will be sent to the radiologist for review.
- If the radiologist decides that there is enough information to accurately disclose gender it will be put into the final report.
- Your doctor/midwife will be able to give you this information.
- Gender is not part of the diagnostic evaluation.
- Depending on your baby’s position and development, the technologist may not be able to determine gender with any degree of certainty. Please realize that this is not the intent of the exam.
- You should also be aware that sex determination is not 100% accurate.
- Please inform the ultrasound technologist at the beginning of the exam if you do not want to know the sex of the baby—it will then be left out of the report.
- The technologist will NOT disclose the gender to you at the time of the exam.
Obstetrical Ultrasound – High Risk
High Risk
High Risk Obstetrical ultrasound exams are performed anytime your physician, OB/GYN, or midwife wants a reassessment of the pregnancy. This type of ultrasound may be performed any time during your pregnancy and will take approximately 30-45 minutes.
Please note that that you may require a transvaginal pelvic exam as part of this appointment.
Preparation
- A full bladder is required for the exam.
- Please finish drinking 5-6 large glasses of water one (1) hour prior to your exam time.
- Do not empty your bladder.
A full bladder pushes your bowel out of the way, allowing the technologist to view the fetus, lower uterus and cervix. The full bladder (like any liquid) also acts as a sound enhancer allowing more detailed, higher resolution images by ultrasound.
Pelvic Ultrasound
A pelvic ultrasound takes pictures of the bladder and reproductive organs. This includes prostate in men and uterus/ovaries in women.
Preparation
- A full bladder is required for the exam.
- Please finish drinking 5-6 large glasses of water one (1) hour prior to your exam time.
- Do not empty your bladder.
A full bladder pushes bowel out of the way allowing visualization of prostate or uterus/ovaries. The full bladder (like any liquid) also acts as a sound enhancer allowing more detailed, higher resolution images by ultrasound.
Transvaginal Ultrasound
If more information is required during either a pelvic or obstetrical ultrasound, you may be offered a transvaginal ultrasound exam to further clarify organs/structures. The majority of pelvic ultrasound exams undergo the transvaginal portion of the exam.
- Transvaginal ultrasound is an examination of the female pelvis (uterus, ovaries, pregnancy).
- It differs from a regular ultrasound as it images the organs from inside the vagina allowing a much higher resolution of all internal structures.
- This will help guide the discussion between you and your doctor about any further investigation or treatment that may be required
- A transvaginal ultrasound is not mandatory, if you feel uncomfortable with the process you are free to decline the exam. No one will pressure you into having a transvaginal exam.
Once the pelvic or obstetrical portion of the exam is done the ultrasound technologist will offer you the transvaginal exam if it is deemed necessary.
- If you agree to this exam you will be asked to empty your bladder completely and change into a gown.
- You will then lie on the stretcher with a small cushion placed under your hips.
- The technologist will hand you a long thin ultra-sound probe (slightly larger than a tampon) with a non-latex protective cover and lubricating gel applied to the tip. Please note: If your technologist is male a female chaperone (nurse, health professional, staff member) will be present throughout the transvaginal exam.
- You will then be instructed to insert the probe into the vaginal opening, the technologist will then gently move and turn the probe in order to bring the areas for study into focus.
- You may feel a mild pressure as the transducer is moved.
- If you are bleeding or menstruating it is not a problem and in some instances, it is an advantage in assessing a variety of gynecological problems.
Spinal Ultrasound
Spinal Ultrasound is the use of high frequency ultrasound waves to view the spinal cord and surrounding areas in babies up to one year of age.
There may be some instances where a spinal x-ray is added after the ultrasound. This is considered part of the routine exam.
Preparation
There is no preparation required for this type of exam.
Testicular / Scrotal Ultrasound
Testicular ultrasound is the use of high frequency ultrasound waves to take pictures of the testicles, scrotum and related structures.
It is sometimes necessary for the technologist to look at other areas of your groin and/or your kidneys. This is a normal part of the exam and should not alarm you.
Preparation
There is no preparation for this type of exam.
Thyroid & Neck Ultrasound
Thyroid and Neck Ultrasound takes pictures of the thyroid gland, parotid and submandibular salivary glands, and neck lymph nodes.
Preparation
There is no preparation required for this type of exam.
Vascular Ultrasound
Vascular ultrasound uses high frequency ultrasound waves along with Doppler technology in order to take pictures of the blood vessels throughout the body.
Common exams include ultrasound of the Carotid arteries, arm and leg veins, and liver vasculature.
Preparation
There is no preparation required for this type of exam.
Patient Information Sheet
Please click here to learn more about Vascular Ultrasound – Carotid Arteries.