Radiology Consultants -Little Rock, AR

During a prenatal exam, you can observe your baby's image on a TV monitor while a sonographer moves the transducer over your body.

Simple facts about Ultrasound.

Ultrasound is the use of sound waves to obtain an image or picture of various organs and tissues in the body. During Ultrasound, a transducer is used to transmit harmless, high frequency sound waves through your body. The transducer picks up the echoes of these waves and converts them into an image on a TV monitor. Ultrasound is used to detect various abnormalities, including aneurysms (enlarging of artery walls), gallstones, cysts, and tumors. Ultrasound is not used to evaluate your stomach or intestines.

Ultrasound is also a common prenatal procedure used even in low-risk pregnancies. Physicians use Ultrasound to determine the condition of a baby, to monitor its development throughout the pregnancy, to confirm due dates, and in some cases, the baby's sex can be determined.

We offer Ultrasound for:

Thyroid
Abdomen Complete (Liver, Pancreas, Kidneys, Gallbladder, Aorta and Spleen)
Abdomen Limited (Gallbladder, Liver or Kidneys)
Renal Transplant
Scrotum
Pelvis
Transvaginal Pelvis
Fetal Age (Complete - Level 2)
Fetal Age (Multiple Gestation)
Fetal (Bio Physical) Profile
Venous Doppler of Lower Extremity
Hysterosonography

Ultrasound - What to expect

A Sonographer, a specially trained technologist, will be performing your Ultrasound exam. After you are comfortably positioned on the examination table, a transmission gel will be applied to the area of your body that is being examined. This application makes it easier for the sound waves to reach their destination.

A transducer will be moved slowly over the body area being examined. The transducer should be the only thing you feel during your exam. Please remain relaxed and still so the results are not disturbed. The Ultrasound procedure is painless.

A special transducer, placed in the vagina, will occasionally be needed during a female pelvic ultrasound to better visualize the uterus and ovaries.

A Radiologist will monitor the images and scan as needed to assure that the most accurate results are obtained.

REMEMBER: Avoid soft drinks before your exam. Carbonation may interfere with the image.

Abdominal Ultrasound: Nothing to eat or drink eight hours prior to exam. Necessary medications may be taken with a small amount of water.

Pelvic Ultrasound: You need to drink six to eight (8 ounce) glasses of non-carbonated fluids one hour before your appointment. A full bladder enables the technologist to visualize your pelvic organs. You may eat before your pelvic Ultrasound.

Pregnancy Ultrasound: If you are up to 4 1/2 months pregnant, follow the same directions as prescribed for the Pelvic Ultrasound. If you are more than 4 1/2 months pregnant, you need to drink two to three 8 ounce glasses of non-carbonated fluid one hour before your exam.

What happens after your exam.

The Radiologist will provide your physician with an interpretation of the ultrasound results. Your physician can then make a diagnosis and explain the findings to you, in terms of your health and treatment.

While you are at Radiology consultants, we want you to feel at ease and safe. If you have any questions or concerns about the procedure, please bring them to our attention. We believe in treating your needs with care.

You will receive a bill from Radiology Consultants for the radiological services. Please feel free to discuss your charges or any insurance questions with our receptionists. You may also call us later if questions arise. We will bill your insurance as a courtesy to you.

OBSTETRIC ULTRASOUND

WHAT IS AN OBSTETRIC ULTRASOUND AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

THE ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER IS WHAT THE TECHNOLOGIST USES TO OBTAIN THE IMAGES. THIS TRANSDUCER IS BOTH THE LOUDSPEAKER (TO CREATE THE SOUND) AND THE MICROPHONE (TO RECORD). AS THE SOUND WAVES ECHO FROM THE SURROUNDING STRUCTURES IN YOUR BODY, THE SENSITIVE MICROPHONE IN THE TRANSDUCER RECORDS TINY CHANGES IN THE SOUND'S PITCH AND DIRECTION. THESE SIGNATURE WAVES ARE INSTANTLY MEASURED AND DISPLAYED BY COMPUTER, WHICH IN TURN CREATES A REAL-TIME PICTURE ON A TELEVISION MONITOR. STILL FRAMES OF THE MOVING PICTURE ARE THEN "FROZEN" TO CAPTURE A SERIES OF IMAGES FOR INTERPRETATION LATER BY THE RADIOLOGIST.

HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR THE EXAM?

YOU SHOULD WEAR A LOOSE FITTING TWO-PIECE OUTFIT FOR YOUR EXAM. ONLY THE LOWER ABDOMINAL AREA NEEDS TO BE EXPOSED DURING THIS PROCEDURE; CONSEQUENTLY, A TWO PIECE OUTFIT WILL PREVENT YOU FROM HAVING TO READJUST OR REMOVE CLOTHING. IF HAVING A VAGINAL ULTRASOUND, THEN YOU WILL BE ASKED TO CHANGE INTO A GOWN.

HOW IS AN OBSTETRIC ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND PERFORMED?

THE SONOGRAPHER WILL APPLY A WARM WATER-SOLUBLE GEL OVER YOUR LOWER ABDOMEN. THIS GEL ALLOWS BETTER TRANSMISSION OF THE SOUND WAVES BY MAKING IT EASIER TO MOVE THE TRANSDUCER OVER YOUR ABDOMEN AND BY ELIMINATING TRAPPED AIR BETWEEN THE SKIN AND TRANSDUCER. THIS EXAMINATION IS PERFORMED WHILE THE PATIENT HAS AN OPTIMALLY FILLED BLADDER. THE REASON YOU NEED A PROPERLY FILLED BLADDER IS BECAUSE THE ULTRASOUND BEAM DOES NOT TRAVEL WELL THROUGH GAS IN THE INTESTINE. THE FILLED BLADDER HELPS MOVE YOUR INTESTINES OUT OF THE WAY. THIS IS A PAINLESS PROCEDURE. THERE MAY BE VARYING DEGREES OF DISCOMFORT FROM PRESSURE, AS THE SONOGRAPHER MAY HAVE TO PRESS MORE FIRMLY TO GET CLOSER TO THE EMBRYO OR FETUS TO BETTER VISUALIZE THE STRUCTURE. THIS DISCOMFORT IS TEMPORARY. ALSO, YOU MAY DISLIKE THE FEELING OF THE GEL ON YOUR ABDOMEN. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO WATCH THE ULTRASOUND AND THE SONOGRAPHER WILL GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE IMAGES BEING SEEN. IT IS CONSIDERED SAFE WITH NO HARMFUL SIDE EFFECTS TO THE MOTHER OR BABY.

HOW IS AN OBSTETRIC TRANSVAGINAL ULTRASOUND PERFORMED?

THIS ULTRASOUND IS GENERALLY PERFORMED WITH THE BLADDER EMPTY. THIS TYPE OF EXAMINATION IS PERFORMED WITH A SPECIALLY DESIGNED ULTRASOUND PROBE (ENDOVAGINAL TRANSDUCER) THAT IS PLACED IN THE VAGINA, BY YOU OR THE SONOGRAPHER, JUST LIKE A TAMPON. THIS SLENDER PROBE IS COVERED WITH A NON-LATEX CONDOM/SHEATH. WITH THIS METHOD, THE SONOGRAPHER CAN GENERALLY VISUALIZE STRUCTURES MORE CLEARLY AND WITH GREATER RESOLUTION. THIS SCAN IS USED TO IMAGE THE CERVIX, VISUALIZE STRUCTURES INSIDE THE UTERUS, WHICH ARE CLOSE TO THE CERVIX, AND TO PROVIDE IMPROVED IMAGES OF THE FETUS. IT IS CONSIDERED SAFE WITH NO HARMFUL SIDE EFFECTS TO THE MOTHER OR BABY.

PREPARATIONS

UP TO 12 WEEKS: THE EXAM WILL BE PERFORMED VAGINALLY. NO PREPARATION IS NEEDED. THE BLADDER SHOULD BE EMPTIED.

13 TO 15 WEEKS: YOU MUST HAVE A FULL BLADDER. YOU NEED TO FINISH DRINKING 48-64 OUNCES OF A NON-CARBONATED FLUID 1-HOUR PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT. DO NOT EMPTY YOUR BLADDER UNTIL THE EXAM IS COMPLETED. AT THIS TIME, THE FETUS IS STILL VERY SMALL. IT IS TO EARLY TO VISUALIZE THE INTERNAL ORGANS, SO YOU ARE LIMITED AS TO WHAT YOU CAN SEE.

15 TO 40 WEEKS: YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE SOME FLUID IN YOUR BLADDER; IT SHOULD FEEL "SOMEWHAT" FULL, NOT PAINFULLY FULL. DRINK APPROXIMATELY 24-32 OUNCES OF NON-CARBONATED FLUID AND DO NOT URINATE UNTIL EXAM IS COMPLETED.

AFTER THE EXAM

WHEN THE EXAMINATION IS OVER, YOU MAY BE ASKED TO REMAIN ON THE EXAMINING TABLE FOR A FEW MINUTES WHILE THE SONOGRAPHER REVIEWS THE ULTRASOUND PICTURES FOR CLARITY. OCCASIONALLY, MORE IMAGES ARE NEEDED. BECAUSE THE EXAM STILL NEEDS TO BE INTERPRETED BY A RADIOLOGIST, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE THE TEST RESULTS FROM THE SONOGRAPHER.

A RADIOLOGIST, WHO IS A PHYSICIAN EXPERIENCED IN ULTRASOUND PROCEDURES AND OTHER RADIOLOGY EXAMINATIONS, WILL ANALYZE THE IMAGES AND SEND YOUR REFERRING PHYSICIAN A SIGNED REPORT. YOU WILL GET THESE RESULTS FROM YOUR REFERRING PHYSICIAN.

THE SONOGRAPHER WHO PERFORMS YOUR TEST IS A REGISTERED DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHER WHO HAS TAKEN AND PASSED A NATIONAL REGISTRY EXAM AND MUST ACQUIRE CONTINUING EDUCATION EVERY YEAR AS REQUIRED BY THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION ARDMS (AMERICAN REGISTRY OF DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY).

REASONS FOR THIS EXAM?

TO ESTABLISH THE AGE OF THE FETUS
TO ESTABLISH A LIVING EMBRYO/FETUS
TO DETERMINE IF THERE ARE MULTIPLE FETUSES
TO EVALUATE THE POSITION OF THE FETUS
TO EVALUATE THE POSITION OF THE PLACENTA
TO DIAGNOSE CONGENITAL ABNORMALITIES
(ALTHOUGH ULTRASOUND CANNOT IDENTIFY ALL FETAL ABNORMALITIES)
TO VIEW THE MOTHER'S OVARIES, UTERUS AND CERVIX

WHAT ABOUT PAYMENT?

INSURANCE: RADIOLOGY CONSULTANTS WILL FILE ALL INSURANCE AS A COURTESY TO YOU. WE HAVE CONTRACTS WITH SEVERAL INSURANCE COMPANIES. DEPENDING ON THE CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT, YOU MAY OWE A CO-PAYMENT AND/OR DEDUCTIBLE AT THE TIME OF SERVICE. IF YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY DOES NOT CONTRACT WITH RADIOLOGY CONSULTANTS, WE WILL FILE WITH YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY AND YOU WILL BE BILLED FOR THE CO-PAYMENT AND/OR DEDUCTIBLE. IF YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY DOES NOT RESPOND OR MAKE A PAYMENT WITHIN 30 DAYS, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BALANCE. (NOTE: SOME INSURANCE COMPANIES DO NOT CONTRACT WITH ANY PROVIDERS IN THE AREA). PLEASE CONTACT OUR BUSINESS OFFICE FOR ANY QUESTIONS AT 227-5130.

PLEASE BRING YOUR INSURANCE CARD WITH YOU TO YOUR EXAMINATION.

SELF-PAY: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 25% OF TOTAL CHARGE AT THE TIME OF SERVICE.

WE ACCEPT CASH, CHECK, DEBIT OR MAJOR CREDIT CARDS.

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PELVIC ULTRASOUND

WHAT IS PELVIC ULTRASOUND IMAGING?

ULTRASOUND IMAGING IS BASED ON THE SAME PRINCIPLES INVOLVED IN THE SONAR USED BY BATS, SHIPS AT SEA, AND ANGLERS WITH FISH DETECTORS. AS A CONTROLLED SOUND BOUNCES AGAINST OBJECTS, ITS ECHOING WAVES CAN BE USED TO IDENTIFY HOW FAR AWAY THE OBJECT IS, HOW LARGE IT IS, AND HOW UNIFORM IT IS. ULTRASOUND IS INAUDIBLE, HIGH FREQUENCY SOUND WAVES. ULTRASOUND INVOLVES THE SENDING OF SOUND WAVES THROUGH THE BODY. THOSE SOUND WAVES ARE REFLECTED OFF THE INTERNAL ORGANS. THE REFLECTIONS ARE THEN INTERPRETED BY SPECIAL INSTRUMENTS THAT SUBSEQUENTLY CREATE AN IMAGE OF ANATOMIC PARTS. STILL FRAMES OF THE MOVING PICTURE ARE THEN "FROZEN" TO CAPTURE A SERIES OF IMAGES FOR INTERPRETATION LATER BY THE RADIOLOGIST.

ARE ULTRASOUND WAVES HARMFUL?

NO. NOT TO YOU AND NOT TO THE SONOGRAPHER. THERE ARE NO HARMFUL EFFECTS KNOWN TO HUMANS. NO IONIZING RADIATION IS INVOLVED IN ULTRASOUND IMAGING.

WHAT WILL I EXPERIENCE DURING THE PROCEDURE?

ULTRASOUND IMAGING OF THE PELVIS SHOULD BE PAINLESS. THERE MAY BE VARYING DEGREES OF DISCOMFORT FROM PRESSURE AS THE TRANSDUCER IS MOVED OVER YOUR ABDOMEN, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A FULL BLADDER. AT TIMES THE SONOGRAPHER MAY HAVE TO PRESS MORE FIRMLY TO BETTER VISUALIZE A STRUCTURE. THIS DISCOMFORT IS TEMPORARY. ALSO, YOU MAY DISLIKE THE FEELING OF THE GEL ON YOUR ABDOMEN.

SOMETIMES, THE RADIOLOGIST DETERMINES THAT A TRANSVAGINAL SCAN WILL NEED TO BE PERFORMED. INSTEAD OF A TRANSDUCER BEING MOVED OVER YOUR ABDOMEN, THE HIGH-FREQUENCY WAVES WILL BE EMITTED BY A PROBE (ENDOVAGINAL TRANSDUCER) WHICH YOU OR THE SONOGRAPHER WILL PLACE IN THE VAGINA. THIS IS A SLENDER PROBE THAT IS COVERED WITH A NON-LATEX CONDOM/SHEATH. THIS TECHNIQUE OFTEN PROVIDES IMPROVED IMAGES OF THE UTERUS AND OVARIES. WITH THIS EXAM, THE URINARY BLADDER WILL NEED TO BE EMPTIED. WITH TRANSVAGINAL SCANNING, THERE MAY BE MINIMAL DISCOMFORT AS THE PROBE IS MOVED ENDOVAGINALLY.

HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR THE PROCEDURE?

YOU SHOULD WEAR COMFORTABLE, TWO PIECE, LOOSE-FITTING CLOTHING FOR YOUR ULTRASOUND EXAM. ONLY THE LOWER ABDOMINAL AREA NEEDS TO BE EXPOSED DURING THIS PROCEDURE; CONSEQUENTLY, A TWO-PIECE OUTFIT WILL PREVENT YOU FROM HAVING TO READJUST OR REMOVE CLOTHING. IF THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE, A GOWN WILL BE PROVIDED FOR YOU. IF HAVING A VAGINAL ULTRASOUND, THEN YOU WILL BE ASKED TO CHANGE INTO A GOWN.

PELVIS ULTRASOUND: YOU MUST HAVE A FULL BLADDER FOR THIS EXAM. YOU NEED TO FINISH DRINKING 48-64 OUNCES OF A NON-CARBONATED FLUID 1 HOUR PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT AND DO NOT URINATE UNTIL EXAM IS COMPLETED. IF YOUR BLADDER IS NOT FULL WHEN YOU ARRIVE FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT, YOU WILL BE RESCHEDULED FOR ANOTHER APPOINTMENT TIME.

ABDOMEN AND PELVIS ULTRASOUND: AFTER MIDNIGHT THE EVENING PRIOR TO YOUR EXAM, DO NOT EAT ANYTHING. YOU MAY DRINK WATER ONLY TO FILL YOUR BLADDER FOR THE PELVIS. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ABOVE FOR THE PELVIS.

REASONS FOR THIS EXAM

PELVIC PAIN
ABNORMAL BLEEDING
DOCTOR COULD FEEL ABNORMALITY WHILE PERFORMING A PELVIC EXAM
SUSPECTED MASS IN OVARY, UTERUS OR PELVIS
TO ESTABLISH LOCATION OF PREGNANCY (UTERINE VS. TUBAL)
INFECTION

HOW WILL I FIND OUT MY RESULTS?

A RADIOLOGIST WILL PROVIDE YOUR PHYSICIAN WITH AN INTERPRETATION OF THE ULTRASOUND PICTURES. YOUR PHYSICIAN CAN THEN MAKE A DIAGNOSIS AND EXPLAIN THE FINDINGS TO YOU, IN TERMS OF YOUR HEALTH AND TREATMENT. BECAUSE A RADIOLOGIST INTERPRETS THE EXAM, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE THE TEST RESULTS FROM THE SONOGRAPHER.

WHAT ABOUT PAYMENT?

PLEASE BRING YOUR INSURANCE CARD AT THE TIME OF YOUR EXAMINATION.

SELF-PAY: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 25% OF THE TOTAL CHARGE AT THE TIME OF SERVICE.

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 25% OF THE TOTAL CHARGE AT THE TIME OF SERVICE. WE WILL NOT BILL YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE BRING THE CAR INSURANCE INFORMATION WITH YOU.

WE ACCEPT CASH, CHECK, DEBIT OR MAJOR CREDIT CARDS.

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