Our hospital offers ultrasound (ultrasonography) examinations as a non-invasive procedure to evaluate internal organs with the chest (thorax) and abdomen and to evaluate the structure of tendons and ligaments. Energy in the form of sound waves is passed into the body. Reflected sound waves returning to the probe are used to create an image of the tissue being evaluated. While radiographs are useful to assess organ size and overall shape, an ultrasound exam allows for evaluation of the organ architecture and blood supply. Ultrasound is often used to evaluate the architecture of the liver, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, urinary, reproductive tract, and vascularization of structures (blood flow). It is also the primary tool to assess heart structure and function.
Ultrasound-Guided Aspirate of Tissue and/or Fluid and Ultrasound-Guided Tissue Biopsy
Following assessment of an organ and the surrounding structures, ultrasound imaging is sometimes used to guide needle placement into a selected tissue or cavity. A sample of tissue or fluid may be drawn through the needle as an aspirate to analyze the cells and for culture (cytology and microbiology). In some cases, a large volume of fluid which has accumulated is removed as a therapeutic treatment.
Ultrasound can also be utilized to retrieve a small piece of solid tissue for histopathology (biopsy) by using a tissue biopsy instrument (a larger needle that can sample a small core of tissue). Tissue biopsies can also be submitted for microbiology (bacterial culture and sensitivity).