Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPurposeBefore the TestDuring the TestInterpreting the ResultsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Purpose
Before the Test
During the Test
Interpreting the Results
Frequently Asked Questions
Sonography is a diagnostic medical test that uses high-frequency sound waves, or ultrasound waves, to create images of tissues, glands, organs, and blood or fluid flow within the body. This test is also referred to as anultrasoundor sonogram.
Sonography uses a device called a transducer on the surface of the skin to send ultrasound waves and listen for an echo. A computer translates the ultrasound waves into an image. A trained technician can see, measure, and identify structures in the image. A healthcare provider then reads the images to help diagnose the issue or problem at hand.
This article explains the purpose and limitations of sonography. To demystify the test, this article also explains what to expect before and during the test.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Purpose of the Test
A sonogram captures a live image of what’s going on inside the body. It functions like a camera that takes pictures of body parts or processes in real time.
Sonography is useful for evaluating the size, shape, and density of tissues to help diagnose certain medical conditions. Traditionally, ultrasound imaging is great for looking into the abdomen without having to cut it open.
Abdominal ultrasoundis often used to diagnose:
A sonogram is most commonly used to monitor the development of the uterus and fetus during pregnancy. It can also be used to evaluate glands,breast lumps,joint conditions,bone disease,testicular lumps, or to guide needles during biopsies.
Sonography can also recognize blood or fluid flow that moves toward or away from the transducer. It uses color overlays on the image to show the direction of the flow. Very hard and dense tissues or empty spaces, such as organs filled with gas, do not conduct ultrasound waves and therefore cannot be viewed on a sonogram.
Physicians often order a sonogram before moving on to imaging technologies that have more potential for complications.Computerized tomography (CT), for example, exposes you to significant levels of radiation.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)uses an extremely strong magnet to capture an image. The strength of an MRI magnet can limit its use in patients with metal or devices in their bodies, such assome pacemakers.
What Is the Difference Between Ultrasound and Sonography?Ultrasound and sonogram are slightly different terms used to refer to the same procedure. Ultrasound imaging, based on sound waves, describes the process itself. The sonogram is the image that an ultrasound generates.
What Is the Difference Between Ultrasound and Sonography?
Ultrasound and sonogram are slightly different terms used to refer to the same procedure. Ultrasound imaging, based on sound waves, describes the process itself. The sonogram is the image that an ultrasound generates.
Precautions and Risks
A sonogram is a noninvasive imaging test that has no known complications. Ultrasound waves are thought to be harmless.
While the energy of the ultrasound waves could potentially irritate or disrupt tissues with prolonged exposure, the computer modulates the power of the sound. Also, a trained technician uses techniques to minimize exposure times and angles, making sonography the safest of all imaging tests.
Healthcare providers order sonography as a first-line test, usually together with blood tests. Make sure you ask your provider if you should follow any special instructions before your sonogram.
In an emergency setting, sonography will typically be performed right away.For a test on a future date, find out if you should or should not eat or drink anything before the test. The answer may change depending on the purpose of the test.
For example, healthcare providers often ask patients to fast (not eat or drink) for six hours before an abdominal ultrasound to look at the gallbladder. But they may tell you to drink several glasses of water and not urinate before a sonogram of the bladder.
Timing
A sonogram usually doesn’t take longer than 30 minutes. In most cases, it’s important to arrive about 15 minutes before the test to fill out forms and possibly answer other questions. If the test requires that you drink fluids to fill your bladder, you might need to drink water before the test.
Once the technician acquires all the pictures, they will check with the radiologist (a healthcare provider trained to read images) to make sure no other views are required. Medical protocols call for the radiologist to interpret the images from a sonogram before sending a report to the healthcare provider. The provider then shares the results with the patient.
Location
Sonography is done at most imaging centers, hospitals, and some obstetrics offices. The sonography machine looks a bit like a computer with a microphone attached—almost like a Karaoke machine. Usually, the sonography machine is rolled right up to the bedside.
What to Wear
Wear something comfortable and easy to remove to your sonogram appointment. In most cases, you will have to expose only the skin that the technician needs access to. An abdominal ultrasound, for example, can be done while you wear pants and a shirt. You’ll just have to pull your shirt up and away to expose your abdomen.
In the case of a transvaginal sonogram, you’ll have to undress below the waist, including removing underwear.
Cost and Health Insurance
In many cases, a sonogram is over before you know it. Here’s what you can expect:
Throughout the Test
The technician will coat the transducer with conductive gel, which feels like lubricant jelly. If possible, depending on the tools and supplies available, the gel will be warm. Then the technician will slide the transducer over the skin, sometimes with firm pressure. Occasionally, the pressure can cause mild discomfort.
Using the transducer to point to areas of interest, the technician will use the computer to capture images and might use a mouse to drag lines across the screen. The lines help measure size, like a virtual yardstick. You should be able to watch the entire procedure and even ask questions throughout the procedure.
Post-Test
When the sonogram is over, the technician will usually provide a towel to wipe off the conductive gel. Once the technician confirms that all the necessary images have been captured, you will be free to get dressed. There are no special instructions or side effects to manage.
Why You May Need an Ultrasound Test and What to Expect
It often takes a radiologist only a few minutes to interpret a sonogram. Typically, sonogram results are sent to the healthcare provider to share with a patient. So if you don’t hear from your provider within the promised time frame, be sure to follow up.
If necessary, you can also request a copy of the radiologist’s report and a disc containing the original images. For many expectant parents, this makes the entire trip worthwhile.
Summary
The live image that a sonogram captures is a painless procedure as well as a quick one. In many cases, a sonogram takes no more than 30 minutes from start to finish.
A Word From Verywell
Sonography is one of the most noninvasive diagnostic medical tests available. It is a safe option for patients who need to know what is going on inside their bodies. If images are necessary, ask your healthcare provider if ultrasound is an option for you.
Frequently Asked QuestionsMost sonographers complete a two-year degree in an accredited sonography training program. Additionally, they may complete the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) certification exams.Learn MoreYour Healthcare TeamNo. Radiology professionals use imaging that relies on radiation, while sonography is a technology based on sound waves. Sonographers use this ultrasound imagery, with the opportunity to specialize in specific areas like breast ultrasound or diagnostic cardiac ultrasound.Learn MoreWhat Is an Echocardiogram?
Most sonographers complete a two-year degree in an accredited sonography training program. Additionally, they may complete the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) certification exams.Learn MoreYour Healthcare Team
Most sonographers complete a two-year degree in an accredited sonography training program. Additionally, they may complete the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) certification exams.
Learn MoreYour Healthcare Team
No. Radiology professionals use imaging that relies on radiation, while sonography is a technology based on sound waves. Sonographers use this ultrasound imagery, with the opportunity to specialize in specific areas like breast ultrasound or diagnostic cardiac ultrasound.Learn MoreWhat Is an Echocardiogram?
No. Radiology professionals use imaging that relies on radiation, while sonography is a technology based on sound waves. Sonographers use this ultrasound imagery, with the opportunity to specialize in specific areas like breast ultrasound or diagnostic cardiac ultrasound.
Learn MoreWhat Is an Echocardiogram?
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tomizawa M, Shinozaki F, Hasegawa R, et al.Abdominal ultrasonography for patients with abdominal pain as a first-line diagnostic imaging modality.Exp Ther Med. 2017;13(5):1932-1936. doi:10.3892/etm.2017.4209.American Pregnancy Association.Ultrasound: Sonogram.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Ultrasound imaging.Whitson MR, Mayo PH.Ultrasonography in the emergency department.Critical Care. 2016;20:227. doi:10.1186/s13054-016-1399-x.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Ultrasound in Pregnancy.American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.How to Become a Sonographer.Additional ReadingYeo, L. and Romero, R. (2016),Intelligent navigation to improve obstetrical sonography.Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol,47: 403-409. doi:10.1002/uog.12562.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tomizawa M, Shinozaki F, Hasegawa R, et al.Abdominal ultrasonography for patients with abdominal pain as a first-line diagnostic imaging modality.Exp Ther Med. 2017;13(5):1932-1936. doi:10.3892/etm.2017.4209.American Pregnancy Association.Ultrasound: Sonogram.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Ultrasound imaging.Whitson MR, Mayo PH.Ultrasonography in the emergency department.Critical Care. 2016;20:227. doi:10.1186/s13054-016-1399-x.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Ultrasound in Pregnancy.American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.How to Become a Sonographer.Additional ReadingYeo, L. and Romero, R. (2016),Intelligent navigation to improve obstetrical sonography.Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol,47: 403-409. doi:10.1002/uog.12562.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Tomizawa M, Shinozaki F, Hasegawa R, et al.Abdominal ultrasonography for patients with abdominal pain as a first-line diagnostic imaging modality.Exp Ther Med. 2017;13(5):1932-1936. doi:10.3892/etm.2017.4209.American Pregnancy Association.Ultrasound: Sonogram.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Ultrasound imaging.Whitson MR, Mayo PH.Ultrasonography in the emergency department.Critical Care. 2016;20:227. doi:10.1186/s13054-016-1399-x.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Ultrasound in Pregnancy.American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.How to Become a Sonographer.
Tomizawa M, Shinozaki F, Hasegawa R, et al.Abdominal ultrasonography for patients with abdominal pain as a first-line diagnostic imaging modality.Exp Ther Med. 2017;13(5):1932-1936. doi:10.3892/etm.2017.4209.
American Pregnancy Association.Ultrasound: Sonogram.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Ultrasound imaging.
Whitson MR, Mayo PH.Ultrasonography in the emergency department.Critical Care. 2016;20:227. doi:10.1186/s13054-016-1399-x.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Ultrasound in Pregnancy.
American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.How to Become a Sonographer.
Yeo, L. and Romero, R. (2016),Intelligent navigation to improve obstetrical sonography.Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol,47: 403-409. doi:10.1002/uog.12562.
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