
What is Ultrasound Imaging?
Ultrasound, also called sonography,
involves exposing part of the body to high-frequency sound waves to produce
pictures of the inside of the body. Ultrasound exams do not use ionizing
radiation (x-ray). Ultrasound
images can show the structure and movement of the body's internal organs,
as well as blood flowing through blood vessels.
Common uses of Ultrasound Exams
Abdominal ultrasound imaging is performed to evaluate the kidneys, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen,
abdominal aorta and
other blood vessels of the abdomen to help diagnose conditions, such as abdominal
pains, inflamed appendix, enlarged abdominal organ, stones in the gallbladder
or kidney, or an aneurysm in
the aorta.
Ultrasound may also be used for guiding procedures such as needle
biopsies in which needles are used to extract a sample of cells from
organs for laboratory testing, and assisting in the assessment of damage
caused by illness.
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