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 Our ultrasound department, located within the medical imaging department, provides a wide range of procedures including obstetric and gynecological studies, abdominal and pelvic assessments, and vascular and soft tissue evaluations. We are also well equipped to service paediatric patients.
All ultrasound examinations are scheduled appointments and a doctor's referral is required. Patients will need to bring the requisition form from the doctor. Registered sonographers are on site Monday to Thursday days and early evenings, Friday days for all patients and on Saturday and
Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for inpatients and
emergencies only.
| Procedure |
Preparation |
Procedure Time |
Visualization of…..
and indications for….. |
| Complete Abdomen |
Nothing by mouth for 8 hours prior to appointment |
The scan will take approximately 30 minutes. |
Pancreas, liver, kidneys, gallbladder and biliary ducts (intra and extrahepatic), spleen, adrenals, aorta, IVC.For the assessment of upper abdominal pain, abdominal aortic aneurysm. |
| Kidneys only |
No prep required |
The scan will take approximately 15 minutes |
Assessment of both kidneys for size, shape and status of collecting systems indications include, pyelonephritis, renal calculi, hydronephrosis, glomerulonephritis, tumors, etc. |
| Kidneys & Pelvis |
Full bladder -Drink 32 oz. liquid 1 hour prior to exam |
The scan will take approximately 30 minutes. |
Assessment of both kidneys, pelvis and bladder, pre and post void residual volumes included upon request |
| Gallbladder only |
Nothing by mouth for 8 hours prior to appointment |
The scan will take approximately 15 minutes |
Gallbladder, biliary tree, pancreas and liver |
| Abdomen & Pelvis |
Nothing by mouth for 8 hours prior to appt. but drink 32 oz. of water only 1 hour prior to exam. |
The scan will take approximately 45 minutes. |
Upper abdominal organs and pelvic structures. |
| Pelvic - female |
Full bladder -Drink 32 oz. liquid 1 hour prior to exam |
The scan will take approximately 15 minutes |
Uterus, ovaries, adnexal regions and bladder. Post void residuals are not done routinely unless specified. |
| Endovaginal Scan (EVT) |
Full bladder (only performed after pelvic US) |
The scan will take approximately 15 minutes |
Detailed study of uterus, endometrial cavity and ovaries. There is a limitation of "depth" with EV. |
| Pelvic - male |
Full bladder -Drink 32 oz. liquid 1 hour prior to exam |
The scan will take approximately 15 minutes |
Assessment of bladder and prostate size and volumes. Pre and post void residual volumes calculated. |
| Transrectal Prostate |
Fleet enema prior to exam |
The scan will take approximately 15 minutes |
Assessment of prostate gland. Improved visualization of tissues and masses. Prostate volume calculated. |
| Transrectal prostatewith Biopsy |
Fleet enema.No anticoagulants 3 - 4 days prior. PSA results and Antibiotic coverage. |
The scan will take approximately 30 minutes. |
Detailed assessment of prostate gland followed by radiologist performing the biopsy using ultrasound guidance.Preferable discussion with urologist prior to booking. |
| Appendix |
Ideally a full bladder |
The scan will take approximately 15 minutes |
Assessment of right lower quadrant. Identification of inflamed appendix with positive compression factor assists in diagnosis. |
| Procedure |
Preparation |
Procedure Time |
Visualization of…..
and indications for….. |
| 1st trimester |
Full bladder -Drink 32 oz. liquid 1 hour prior to exam |
The scan will take approximately 30 minutes. |
Detailed assessment of endometrial lining, gestational sac size, location and age, fetal assessment and growth. Endovaginal scan performed when appropriate to confirm ectopic pregnancy, fetal viability or multiple pregnancy. |
| 2nd trimester |
Full bladder -Drink 32 oz. liquid 1 hour prior to exam |
The scan will take approximately 30 min. Multiple pregnancy allow extra 15 - 20 min. |
Performed at 18 weeks. Provides ideal scanning of cranial, abdominal and skeletal anatomy, placental position and texture and cervix. Under optimal conditions basic echocardiography as well as location and implantation of umbilical cord can be assessed. |
| 3rd trimester |
Partially full bladder |
The scan will take approximately 30 min. Multiple pregnancy allow extra 15 - 20 min. |
Obstetrical ultrasound performed for re-evaluation of fetal anatomy, position, placental location, when requested, unbilical cord doppler and basic fetal echocardiography. |
| Biophysical Profile |
Partially full bladder |
The scan will take approximately 45 min. |
A III trimester exam for detailed fetal assessment for "well-being". The fetus is given a score based on fetal breathing movements, gross body movement, fetal tone and amniotic fluid volume. Indications include suspected IUGR, BP, and decreased fetal movement. |
| Procedure |
Preparation |
Procedure Time |
Visualization of…..
and indications for….. |
| Thyroid |
No prep |
The scan will take approximately 15 minutes |
Evaluation of thyroid gland texture and size, parathyroids visualized when enlarged. Indications include hypo/hyperactive thyroids, Hashimotos, Grave's disease, multi-nodular thyroid, and masses and thyroglossal cysts. |
| Parotid/Submandibular Glands |
No prep |
The scan will take approximately 15 minutes |
For assessment of gland size and shape indications include pain and swelling. Assessment of masses, dilated ducts and calculi. |
| Testicles |
No prep |
The scan will take approximately 15 minutes |
Indications include swelling, tenderness, inflammation, infertility, torsion, hydroceles, masses, and varicoceles. Detailed evaluation of testicular glands and epididymis. Location of undescended testicles, color doppler for vascular assessment to rule out testicular torsion. |
| Breast |
No prep |
The scan will take approximately 15 minutes |
Used in conjunction with mammography to differentiate between solid and cystic masses. Assessment of benign and malignant tumors, abscesses. Assessment of palpable lumps in younger women. NOT used as a screening process. |
| Soft Tissue Masses |
No prep |
The scan will take approximately 15 minutes |
Lipomas, Baker cysts, etc…soft tissue masses evaluated with high-resolution imaging. |
| Musculoskelatal |
No prep |
The scan will take approximately 15 minutes |
Evaluation of tendons, musculature & soft tissue |
| Procedure |
Preparation |
Procedure Time |
Visualization of…..
and indications for….. |
| Abdomen/Pelvis |
Nothing by mouth 4 hours prior to exam. Attempt not to urinate 1 hour prior |
The scan will take approximately 30 minutes. |
High resolution imaging of liver, pancreas, gallbladder, kidneys, adrenals, spleen, aorta, IVC. |
| Hips - any age |
No prep |
The scan will take approximately 15 minutes |
To assess septic hip or effusion |
| Hips(10 days 6 months only) |
No prep |
The scan will take approximately 30 minutes. |
Indications include, congenital hip displacement of subluxation.Radiologists perform stress views using ultrasound. |
| Spine (newborn) |
No prep |
The scan will take approximately 15 minutes |
Indications include tethered cord, spina bifida, hair tufts, sacral dimples. |
| Head (new born® 1 yr. Limited to closure of fontanel) |
No prep |
The scan will take approximately 15 minutes |
Ventricular size, intraventricular bleeds, intracranial bleeds, and anatomical disorder. |
| Pyloric Stenosis |
Omit last feeding (bring a bottle) |
The scan will take approximately 15 minutes |
Detailed visualization of gastric pylorus for muscle hypertropy. Study of choice for this entity. |
| Procedure |
Preparation |
Procedure Time |
Visualization of…..
and indications for….. |
| Carotids(Doppler) |
No prep |
The scan will take approximately 30 minutes. |
Indications include TIA's, strokes, bruit, RIND, vertebrobasilar symptoms, visual disturbances, evaluation of the degree of stenosis rated in a percentage. Plaque evaluation for calcification or acute emboli source. Hemodynamic flow evaluations performed within the CCA, ICA, ECA and vertebral arteries. Upon request, flow direction of ophthalmic arteries. |
| Deep Vein Thrombosis (Doppler) |
No prep |
The scan will take approximately 30 minutes. Urgent cases given priority. |
Pain, swelling of extremity upper or lower as well as assessment of jugular or IVC. Must specify area. The assessment of lower extremity for DVT includes common femoral, superficial femoral and popliteal veins for thrombosis. |
| Renal Artery Doppler |
No prep |
The scan will take approximately 30 minutes. |
Indications include BP, renal transplant, renal artery stenosis. Assessment of size and waveform of renal artery. |
| Penile Artery Doppler |
No prep |
The scan will take approximately 30 minutes. |
Penile artery assessment pre and post papavarine injections by Radiologist. For vasogenic impotency. |
| Hepatic & Portal Vein Doppler |
No prep |
The scan will take approximately 30 minutes. |
Hepatic and portal veins for assessment of direction of flow and presence of thrombus. Indications include suspected Budd-Chiari Syndrome. |
| Arterial Doppler |
No prep |
The scan will take approximately 30 minutes. |
For specific area to be imaged for the diagnosis of aneurysmal dilation or patency of arm/leg dialysis grafts or fistula. |
| Peripheral Artery"Segmental Pressures" |
No prep |
The scan will take approximately 1 hour |
Indications include claudication, skin discoloration, vascular ulcers, diminished pulses, gangrene. Assessment of blood volumes, ankle-brachial indices. Segmental pressures are helpful as a guide for localizing and grading the severity in-patients with peripheral vascular arterial disease. Dedicated non-invasive vascular unit. |
| Procedure |
Preparation |
Procedure Time |
Visualization of…..
and indications for….. |
| Chest |
No prep |
The scan will take approximately 15 minutes |
To assess amount of pleural effusion. May be used as a guide to pleural thoracentesis. |
| Biopsies/Aspirations/ Drainage |
Prep varies- may require admission |
The scan will take approximately 30-60 minutes. The exam may require recovery time up to 4 hours |
·biopsies or organs, masses i.e. liver, kidneys, breast and other abdominal masses.
·aspirations of cysts i.e. breast cyst.
·drainage of abscess, pleural fluid, ascitic fluid.
·all biopsies must have previous Ultrasound examination in this institute. |
| Hysterosonogram |
Day 6-10 of menstrual cycle |
The scan will take approximately 1 hour |
Evaluation of polyps, tumors of endometral lining indications are dysfunctional uterine bleeding, endometral thickening. |
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