St. Mary's Hospital - Decatur Services Imaging Ultrasound

Ultrasound

Ultrasound, also called ultrasound scanning or 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 (as used in x-rays). Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can show the structure and movement of the body's internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels.

All Sonographers at St. Mary’s are registered by the ARDMS. The department has ACR accreditation for general OB/GYN studies. The department has ICAVL accreditation for all vascular studies as well. Questions? Call us at 217-464-2163.


As a Patient:

 

  • After you are positioned on the examination table, the radiologist or sonographer will apply some warm gel on your skin and then place the transducer firmly against your body, moving it back and forth over the area of interest until the desired images are captured.

  • Ultrasound exams in which the transducer is inserted into an opening of the body may produce minimal discomfort.

  • Once the imaging is complete, the gel will be wiped off your skin.

  • After an ultrasound exam, you should be able to resume your normal activities.


Exams Performed:

 

  • Abdominal scanning

  • OB/GYN scanning (includes transvaginal and Biophysical Profiles)

  • Core Breast Biopsies

  • Small Parts

  • Vascular (includes carotids, venous and arterial)

  • US guided biopsies; Amniocentesis; Aspirations; Paracentesis; Thoracentesis

  • Within the hospital, Echocardiographies are also performed in the Cardiovascular Lab.

Equipment:

  • All rooms have identical Philips IU 22 Systems with 4D imaging.

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