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Ultrasound

An ultrasound test uses high frequency sound waves to visualize internal structures in very fine detail. The sound waves come from a special wand (transducer) and travel into your body. They bounce off of the structures in your body and travel back to the transducer, while the machine translates this information into a "real-time" image on a TV screen. Ultrasound is completely safe, using only sound waves and no radiation. You will experience no discomfort while having your ultrasound.

Our technologists are registered in ultrasound, and HVRA is accredited by the American College of Radiology for OB, General, Breast and Vascular Ultrasound Services including peripheral vascular, cerebrovascular, and deep abdominal vascular ultrasound. Visit our Vascular Lab page for more information on vascular ultrasound exams.

Ultrasound-Guided Breast Biopsies -- HVRA also performs ultrasound-guided breast biopsies, a highly accurate way to evaluate suspicious masses within the breast that are visible on ultrasound, whether or not they can be felt on breast self-examination or clinical examination. The procedure prevents the need to remove tissue surgically, and also eliminates the radiation exposure that comes from using x-rays to locate a mass.

About Your Exam

Your ultrasound exam will take between 45 minutes and 1 hour, regardless of the specific type of exam.

Ultrasound-Guided Breast Biopsies: After placing an ultrasound probe over the site of the breast lump and using local anesthesia, the radiologist guides a biopsy device directly into the mass. Tissue specimens are then taken and sent to an outside laboratory for further analysis.

How to Prepare

How you prepare for your ultrasound exam depends on the type of exam you will be having.

Abdomen: Nothing to eat or drink, no gum or cigarettes after 8:00 pm the night before.

Pelvic: Empty bladder 1.5 hours before your exam, then drink 32 oz. of water within 30 minutes of emptying bladder.

Abdomen and Pelvic Combination: Nothing to eat or drink, no gum or cigarettes after 8:00 pm the night before. Also follow the Pelvic exam preparation.

Renal: Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours before the exam.

Renal and Pelvic Combination: Nothing to eat 4 hours before the exam. Also follow the Pelvic preparation.

Obstetrical: If you are 12 or fewer weeks pregnant, then no preparation is required. If you are 13 to 30 weeks pregnant, then drink 24 oz. of water before the exam. If over 30 weeks, then arrive with a full bladder.

Ultrasound-Guided Breast Biopsies: If you are taking aspirin or a blood thinner, your doctor may advise you to stop three days before the procedure to minimize bleeding. You may want to have a relative or friend present to lend support, and also to drive you home afterwards.

Exam Results

We will provide your full exam results to your doctor within 24 to 48 hours. You should consult your doctor directly to review your results.

Locations Offering Ultrasound

Ultrasound is offered at our Danbury, Southbury and Ridgefield locations.