Medical Imaging: Ultrasound - Before You Arrive
Please make the following arrangements for your appointment, depending on the area of focus for your ultrasound.
Abdomen
Includes gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas, aorta, liver, spleen:
- You must stop eating and drinking (no food or liquids) from midnight the night before your test until your test is complete.
Pelvis / Bladder / Appendix
- A pelvis, bladder or appendix ultrasound requires that you have a full bladder. You must drink 4 to 5 (8 oz) glasses of water 1 hour before your exam and do not empty your bladder.
Obstetrical - early pregnancy (less than 14 weeks)
- An obstetrical ultrasound requires that you have a full bladder. Drink 6 (8 oz) glasses of water or clear fluids 1 hour before exam and do not empty bladder.
Obstetrical - late pregnancy (14 weeks to 40 weeks):
- An obstetrical ultrasound requires that you have a full bladder. Drink 3 to 4 (8 oz) glasses of water or clear fluids 1 hour before exam and do not empty bladder.
Transvaginal
- After the procedure is explained to the patient, a probe will be inserted into the vagina by the technologist to obtain the required images.
Transrectal biopsies
- The patient must be pre-medicated and discontinue any blood thinners 1 week prior to test. This procedure is booked by urologist referral only.
No preparation is needed for
- Carotid Doppler
- Thyroid
- Venous leg Doppler
- Breast
- Testicles
- Hips
- Extremities
- Kidneys only
When do I find out the results?
The radiologist will send a report to the doctor who sent you for the test. He/she will give you the results.