Ultrasound

During the exam, an instrument called a transducer sends out ultrasonic sound waves at a frequency too high to be heard. These waves bounce off internal structures like an echo. The transducer picks up reflected sound waves and a computer converts them into an image.

This technology lets doctors visualize real-time functioning of internal organs. At El Camino Health, sonographers can use a special type of ultrasound technology, called Doppler ultrasound, to evaluate blood flow.

Your ultrasound procedure will depend on the area being examined, but all exams follow a general sequence:

• The sonographer positions you for the exam and applies a water-based gel to your skin, which allows the transducer to slide smoothly.
• They press the transducer against your skin and move it over the area, changing angle and direction to achieve the best image.
• The image appears on a monitor and can be recorded and sent to your doctor or other specialists.

Ultrasound is used to diagnose and monitor a wide range of conditions in various specialties, including:

• Mother-baby health – To monitor the development of the fetus.
• Heart health – To evaluate blood flow through the chambers and valves of the heart.
• Orthopedic health – To examine joints and muscles after injuries or to find the reason for pain or other symptoms.
• Surgery – To help guide a biopsy or a minimally invasive procedure.
• Women's health – To diagnose problems of the uterus, ovaries and other pelvic organs, and to examine a problem area found by a mammogram.
• Men’s health – To examine the prostate gland if problems are found during a physical exam. We use Artemis™ 3D Imaging technology that greatly enhances your doctor’s ability to examine suspicious areas and take samples for biopsy.