Ultrasound (or sonography) uses reflected sound waves to create real-time images of soft tissues, including muscles, blood vessels and organs. Because sound waves are used, there is no radiation exposure during this procedure.

Although most commonly used to examine the fetus during pregnancy, it is also an effective tool for monitoring blood flow using Doppler ultrasound technology. Ultrasound can be used to discover abnormalities in organs and detect narrowed arteries, clotted veins or growths such as tumors and cysts.

Commonwealth Health offers a variety of ultrasound procedures, including:

• Obstetric and breast ultrasound exams
• Ultrasound-guided biopsies of the breast, kidney, liver and thyroid
• Paracentesis and thorocentesis