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information on PET Imaging

The purpose of Ultrasound is to:

• Provide very precise images of tissue and organs.
• Used in diagnosing and treating Cancer patients.
• Reveals internal motions such as heart beat and blood flow.
• Detects and monitors a wide variety of conditions such as heart problems, abdominal disorders, blood vessel problems and pelvic disorders.
• A safe and effective way to check a baby's health and development during pregnancy.

A sonographer (a technician who specializes in ultrasound) will position you on an examination table. At this time a gel will be applied to the area being examined. The sonographer will use a small microphone-like device to move lightly over the body part being imaged. The images are viewed on a television monitor and are viewed, taped or photographed.

After the exam, the radiologist will provide your physician with an interpretation of the results of your ultrasound procedure. Your physician can then make a diagnosis and explain the findings.

Charleston Radiologists offers the following Ultrasound services:

• Abdomen
• Breast
• Duplex carotid/vertebral
• Lower extremity
• Vascular, arterial and venous
• Cranial
• Spinal canal
• Infant Hip
• Pelvic
• Retroperitoneal
• Scrotal
• Thyroid
• Ultrasound needle placements, biopsies, aspirations, injections

Patient Preparation
Abdominal, Spleen, Pancreas or Gallbladder Ultrasound:
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the day before your scheduled exam.

Pelvic, OB or GYN Ultrasound:

• It is essential to have an extremely full bladder for a pelvic ultrasound (whether you are pregnant or not) in order to avoid delays in the exam and possible rescheduling.
• Drink four 8 oz. glasses of fluid one hour prior to the scheduled exam (water is preferred). Try not to go to the bathroom during this time, but if you must go, go only enough to relieve the discomfort.

FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS

Q: What are Uterine Fibroids?
A: Fibroids are benign tumors that develop in the muscular wall of the uterus. Fibroids range in size and may be located in various parts of the uterus. Women with fibroids do not always have symptoms, but depending on their size and location, they can cause pain and heavy bleeding.

Q: Who is most likely to have Uterine Fibroids?
A: Uterine fibroids are very common though they don’t always cause problems. 20-40% of women over 35 will develop fibroids of a significant size and African-American women are at a higher risk than the rest of the population.

Q: How are Uterine Fibroids diagnosed?
A: Fibroids are usually diagnosed during a gynecologic internal examination. The presence of fibroids is most often confirmed by an abdominal ultrasound. Fibroids can also be confirmed using magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) imaging techniques.

Q: How can Interventional Radiologists treat Uterine Fibroids?
A: Interventional Radiologists can perform two minimally invasive procedures to remove uterine fibroids. These procedures can often can replace the need for major surgeries such as hysterectomy. These are Uterine Fibroid Embolization and Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRGFU).

Q: What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization?
A: This approach to the treatment of fibroids blocks the arteries that supply blood to the fibroids causing them to shrink. It is a minimally-invasive procedure, which means it requires only a tiny nick in the skin, and is performed by an interventional radiologist while the patient is conscious but sedated — drowsy and feeling no pain. Advantages over surgery include no incision and a shorter recovery time.

Q: What is Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound?
A:Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRGFU) is a non-invasive outpatient, procedure that uses high intensity focused ultrasound waves to ablate (destroy) the fibroid tissue. An interventional radiologist uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to see inside the body to deliver the treatment directly to the fibroid. This procedure, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in October 2004, is a newer treatment option for women with fibroids.

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