An ultrasound, also known as a sonogram, is a noninvasive and painless imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of internal organs and soft tissues. Unlike X-rays, ultrasounds do not involve ionizing radiation, making them a safe choice for diagnostic imaging. This procedure is particularly useful for visualizing soft tissues that may not appear clearly on X-rays.
Our Services:
Are you experiencing discomfort, swelling, or pain in your legs? These symptoms could be indicators of underlying vascular issues, such as Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and Venous Reflux. At SSP, we offer specialized services that include:
Our advanced arterial ultrasounds help diagnose Peripheral Arterial Disease by assessing blood flow, detecting arterial blockages, and evaluating vascular health.
Our venous reflux studies use ultrasound technology to identify and assess venous reflux, providing crucial insights for effective treatment.
Ultrasound images can aid in diagnosing various conditions, including abdominal organ problems, infections, cancers, muscle abnormalities, heart evaluations, arterial blockages or aneurysms, thyroid gland assessments, and guiding biopsies.Ultrasound images can aid in diagnosing various conditions, including abdominal organ problems, infections, cancers, muscle abnormalities, heart evaluations, arterial blockages or aneurysms, thyroid gland assessments, and guiding biopsies.
How to Prepare:
While many ultrasounds require no preparation, some ultrasound may require:
- This scan will look at your stomach, so you need to be fasting for 6 to 8 hours prior to the study. Meaning, no food or drink before the study. If you need to take medicine before the study, please only drink enough water to swallow the medicine. If you have blood sugar issues, please let us know so that we can schedule appropriately.
- Wear loose fitting clothes. Please make sure to wear underwear.
- Typically, this study takes 20-30 minutes.
- This scan will look at both sides of the neck from head to collar bone.
- Wear loose fitting clothes. Make sure your clothes expose the whole neck.
- Typically, this study takes 20-30 minutes.
- This scan is usually of the arms.
- Wear loose fitting clothes, so that the whole arm can be scanned.
- If the anatomy of the arms are not acceptable for dialysis access other parts of the body may need to be scanned.
- Typically, this study takes 20-30 minutes.
- Bi-lateral means both legs or both arms.
- Lower body ultrasound is scanning the legs.
- Upper body ultrasound is scanning the arms.
- Wear loose fitting clothes, you may need to remove pants/shorts. Please wear underwear.
- Do not wear compression socks/hose.
- If you have bandages and dressings, please know that we may need to remove them.
- Typically, this study takes 45-60 minutes.
- Bi-lateral means both legs or both arms.
- Lower body ultrasound is scanning the legs.
- Upper body ultrasound is scanning the arms.
- Wear loose fitting clothes, you may need to remove pants/shorts. Please wear underwear.
- Do not wear compression socks/hose.
- If you have bandages and dressings, please know that we may need to remove them.
- Typically, this study takes 45-60 minutes.
- Can be performed on one or both kidneys.
- This scan will look at the kidneys and arteries, so you need to be fasting for 6 to 8 hours prior to the study. Meaning, no food or drink before the study. If you need to take medicine before the study, please only drink enough water to swallow the medicine. If you have blood sugar issues, please let us know so that we can schedule appropriately.
- Wear loose fitting clothes. Please make sure to wear underwear.
- Typically, this study takes 45-60 minutes.
- Bi-lateral means both legs or both arms.
- Lower body ultrasound is scanning the veins in the legs.
- Upper body ultrasound is scanning the veins in the arms.
- Wear loose fitting clothes, you may need to remove pants/shorts. Please wear underwear.
- Do not wear compression socks/hose.
- If you have bandages and dressings, please know that we may need to remove them.
- Typically, this study takes 30 minutes.
Please note you may have multiple studies in a day so you may be in ultrasound for more than 2 hours. Be prepared.
Be on time for your appointment. If you are late, you will be rescheduled.
If you cannot stand or transfer yourself, you will need someone with you to assist you. Our staff cannot help with this.
Ultrasound Studies
- Abdominal Ultrasound to look for aortic abdominal aneurysm.
- Ankle Brachial Index and Toe Brachial Index (ABI/TBI) looks at the blood flow from the heart to the ankle.
- Arterial Ultrasound to look for peripheral arterial disease in upper and/or lower extremity arteries.
- Carotid Artery Ultrasound to look for carotid artery blockages.
- Vein Mapping for Dialysis Access.
- Venous Reflux to look for venous insufficiency.
- Renal Artery Duplex to look for renal artery blockages.
- Venous Duplex to look for deep vein thrombosis.
Study Location
- Abdominal Ultrasound: A scan of the abdomen looking for bulges in the aortic artery. It is best performed on an empty stomach.
- ABI/TBI (Ankle Brachial Index and Toe Brachial Index): This test involves placing a blood pressure cuff on the arm and ankle and using a doppler to measure the flow rate of blood.
- Arterial Ultrasounds: These can be performed on one or both legs or arms, scanning down the limb to look for blockages in the arteries.
- Carotid Artery Ultrasound: A scan focused on the sides of the neck to look for blockages in the carotid arteries.
- Vein Mapping for Dialysis Access: This procedure starts at the wrist and moves up the arm, assessing the blood flow in arteries and veins to determine the best site for creating dialysis access.
- Venous Reflux: A scan of the leg to check if the valves in the veins are functioning properly, preventing blood from flowing backward.
- Renal Artery Ultrasound: Performed on the kidneys within the abdomen, this scan is also best conducted on an empty stomach and looks for blockages in the renal arteries.
- Venous Duplex: A study of the veins in the arms or legs to check for blood clots.
Schedule an Appointment
Take the first step towards healthier, pain-free feet. We look forward to partnering with you for your foot care needs. Schedule an appointment with Dr.McCollum today. Our dedicated team is here to support your foot health journey.
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