Advanced Sonograms of Alaska

Sono News Page

A micro blog about topics of interest to our staff, patients, and the medical-imaging industry. 

3/31/2025
Preparing for Your Endometriosis Scan
Why is a bowel prep helpful? Bowel preparation enables better visualization of endometriotic lesions throughout the pelvis. It also speeds up the examination time and results in less discomfort for the patient. Day Before the Exam: Follow a low-residue diet Avoid high-fiber fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes. Instead, eat low-fiber options such as white bread, plain pasta, white rice, lean proteins, and clear broths. Avoid foods that produce gas, such as beans, carbonated beverages, cruciferous vegetables (e.g., broccoli, cauliflower), and chewing gum. Drink plenty of clear fluids, such as water or clear juices (without pulp) to help maintain hydration and ensure smoother bowel function during the preparation process. Mild Oral Laxatives (available over the counter) Take 10 mg of Dolculax® or Gutalax® at 8:00 am and at 2:00 pm. Day of the Exam: Continue low-residue diet and avoid foods that produce gas as well as carbonated beverages and chewing gum. No solid food 3 hours before the exam. 1 to 3 hours before the exam administer a small-volume enema, such as a saline enema (e.g., Fleet® enema). This will help clear the rectum of remaining stool. Drink plenty of water throughout the day of your appointment and do not empty your bladder within 20 minutes of your appointment time. *****Contact your provider if you have any questions regarding exam preparation**** What is a Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis scan?  Advanced Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis Scan
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3/1/2024
Are you having difficulty becoming pregnant?
While difficulty becoming pregnant can occur for a variety of reasons, it could be due to a blockage of the fallopian tubes. Hysterosalpingo-Foam-Sonography (HyFoSy) is a safe1  and accurate2 way to determine whether your fallopian tubes are open or blocked. ExEm® Foam is an innovative FDA-approved contrast agent that has been successfully used by over 1 million women worldwide and has clinically been proven to offer a gentler, less painful3,4  and more convenient diagnostic option in their fertility journey. According to the American College of Radiology, when performed by experience personnel, HyFoSy has the ability to achieve accuracy greater to that of traditional HSG5, making it a better alternative for tubal patency assessment and diagnosis in women with known or suspected infertility.   Advanced Sonograms of Alaska is the first and only diagnostic imaging facility to bring HyFoSy to Alaska. Our sonographers and radiologists have the experience and proven track record of success to ensure accurate results.      
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2/28/2024
Advanced Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis Scan
What is endometriosis vs. deep infiltrating endometriosis? Endometriosis is a common medical condition that affects about 10% of women. Endometrial tissue is what makes up the lining of the uterus and is what is shed every month during menstruation. Endometriosis is when endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus. During your menstrual period this tissue breaks down, causing periods to be extremely painful. It can also lead to cysts called endometriomas, chronic pain and possible infertility. Endometriosis typically implants on the surface of pelvic tissues and organs. These are called Superficial Lesions and they are readily seen during laparoscopic surgery, but they are not easily seen with ultrasound. At times, the implants can grow into the organs and tissues to form nodules. This is called Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis and it can affect the bowel, bladder, ureters, cervix, vaginal wall, rectum, and more, causing adhesions in the pelvis. These nodules can be seen with ultrasound but are difficult to see during surgery. Identifying deep infiltrative lesions is critical for proper surgical planning and improved outcomes. What is an Advanced Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis Scan? A typical pelvic ultrasound is effective for detecting ovarian endometriomas but can easily overlook sites of deep infiltrating endometriosis. Traditionally this type of lesion required costly imaging tests such as MRI.  Now, with an Advanced Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis Ultrasound Scan, structures that lie deep in the pelvis can be evaluated for the presence of infiltrating lesions. This includes the uterine ligaments, adjacent connective tissue, rectum, vaginal wall, cervix, ureters and bladder wall. A graded assessment of organ mobility is also performed to evaluate for possible adhesions. Advanced Sonograms of Alaska is the only diagnostic imaging facility in Alaska with sonographers and radiologists who have experience in identifying deep infiltrating endometriosis.  We have a demonstrated track record of accuracy. Who may benefit from an Advanced Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis Scan? Women who have painful periods and/or pain during intercourse worsening over timeAbnormal bowel or urinary symptoms related to your periodWomen who have persistent symptoms despite standard treatmentsWomen who have previously been diagnosed with endometriosis to assess the severity and extent of the diseaseWomen who are experiencing infertility and have suspected or confirmed endometriosis to evaluate the impact of endometriosis on the reproductive organs.For women who are scheduled to undergo surgery for suspected or confirmed endometriosis, a preoperative scan may be recommended to help guide surgical planning and optimize outcomes. How do I prepare for my exam? Preparing for Your Endometriosis Scan Common sites for DIE lesions (A) Endometrioma on ovary, (B) DIE nodule infiltrating colon wall, (C) DIE nodule on uterosacral ligament, (D) DIE nodule parametrium adjacent to ovary and bowel
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2/23/2024
Why Have Your Ultrasound Done at an AIUM Accredited Practice?
Ultrasound scans are being performed everywhere. Not only in the standard radiology department in your local hospital, but also in the emergency room, urgent care clinics, your doctor’s office, and in some places, even at the local mall. But are you getting the same value for your money at each of these different sites? We have witnessed a very wide variety of skill levels within each of these departments. What can help you identify a reputable ultrasound facility? Look for an ultrasound practice that is accredited by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, the only accrediting organization that focuses solely on ultrasound imaging. Applying for and obtaining your AIUM ultrasound accreditation is a vigorous process. It requires that all physician and sonographer staff have earned the appropriate credentials for the scans being performed and that they are up to date on their CME (continued medical education). Studies must be submitted for review to the accrediting team to ensure that the appropriate anatomy is being captured, image quality is optimal, and images are labeled. The ultrasound report is reviewed to confirm that the patient information and required imaging components for the study have been assessed and documented correctly. AIUM accreditation can help reassure the patient and the referring physician that their selected ultrasound department is aware of and following the current accepted standard guidelines for their exam. This can lead to reduced patient anxiety regarding the quality of the ultrasound scan. The goal is to help ultrasound departments achieve the best imaging possible to improve overall patient care and safety. Why is AIUM accreditation important?  Ultrasound technology has improved tremendously but its value is greatly dependent on who is doing the exam. The accreditation process helps a practice discover where its deficiencies are and can provide guidance on how to meet the minimum standards. Further training and education of the Sonographers and Sonologists will lead to improved patient safety and outcomes. Why pursue an ultrasound at an AIUM accredited practice?  Maybe the better question would be, why not make AIUM accreditation mandatory?
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11/24/2023
Ultrasound Exposure Unlikely to Cause Autism.
Originally Published by Boston University School of Public Health, March 6, 2018. The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder has progressively increased over the past few decades, with estimates now at 1 in 68 individuals affected. Research continues to work on identifying both the genetic and environmental factors that could lead to autism spectrum disorder. One factor that has been scrutinized is prenatal ultrasounds. As the technology has advanced, the number of ultrasounds that women have during pregnancy has increased substantially during the past several decades, and some argue that the previously established guidelines are no longer applicable. Now, a 2018 study co-authored by BU School of Public Health researchers has found that the number or duration of abdominal fetal ultrasounds are not associated with future development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Ultrasounds are a vital tool used by providers to evaluate the developing fetus at different points in pregnancy. An abdominal ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves, which are recorded and transformed into images of the fetus, the placenta, and the surrounding organs. These images are evaluated by providers to determine if normal development is taking place as well as to detect abnormalities, such as fetal brain and heart issues or problems with the placenta that could pose a risk to the mother or the fetus. The American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends one or two ultrasounds for low-risk pregnancies; however, the number of medically necessary ultrasounds for all pregnancies, including high-risk, are determined by providers’ assessment of each woman’s risk factors and are done in order to help prevent and/or treat any complications that only an ultrasound can detect. “To our knowledge, this is the first study of its kind to examine current ultrasonography data and quantify the data as it may relate to different developmental outcomes in children,” say lead author N. Paul Rosman, professor of neurology at the School of Medicine. “It is critical to note that this data should not be misinterpreted because an association does not prove a cause and effect.” Researchers have found that the number and duration of abdominal fetal ultrasounds are not associated with future development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).  The study included 420 participants (328 boys, 92 girls) born to mothers who received prenatal care and delivered their baby at the same hospital. Among the participants, 107 had been diagnosed with ASD, 104 with other developmental delays, and 209 were controls with typical development. The researchers examined fetal ultrasound screenshots from the participants. They looked at number and timing of scans, duration of exposure, mean (average) strength (depth, frame rate, mechanical index, and thermal index), and time of Doppler and three- and four-dimensional imaging. Overall, children with ASD had fewer ultrasound examinations during the first trimester compared to the control group; an average of 5.9 and 6.1 scans, respectively. Moreover, while the there was a statistically significant association between ASD and greater mean depth of ultrasound penetration compared to the control group, the researchers found no association between the number or the duration of the ultrasounds and future development of ASD. “The association we found between the depth of ultrasound and ASD does not mean that ultrasounds cause autism; rather, it highlights the need for more research on how this type of exposure may impact fetal development,” says Rosman. SPH co-authors included Gheorghe Doros, professor of biostatistics, and students James DoRosa and Allison Forman. Authors from MED included pediatrician Sherry Santiago and students Audrey Di Mauro and Rachel Vassar. ————— Sources: The study was published in JAMA Pediatrics. https://jamanetwork.com/journa... Ultrasound Exposure Unlikely to Cause Autism. https://www.bu.edu/sph/news/ar... Continued Reading: Critics jump on ultrasound and autism connection. https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/12... Expert Reaction to Prenatal Ultrasonography Association with Autism https://www.sciencemediacentre...
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7/29/2023
What is a sonohysterogram (SIS)?
A Saline Infusion Sonohysterogram (SIS) is a special kind of ultrasound that lets your healthcare provider look inside your uterus and uterine lining for problems that may be causing unwanted symptoms like bleeding and infertility.  SIS is less invasive than surgical procedures such as hysteroscopy and does a better job providing detailed views of structures inside your uterus than standard imaging. Why would someone need a sonohysterogram (SIS)? Your provider may ask you to get a SIS if these symptoms exist: Your periods are heavier or longer-lasting than is typical.You have vaginal bleeding in between periods.You’ve had a polyp suspected on prior sonogram.You’ve been unable to get pregnant.You’ve had two or more miscarriages. A sonohysterogram can reveal these types of structures and conditions: Polyps.Fibroids.Atypical uterus shape.Signs of endometrial cancer. How do I prepare for a sonohysterogram? There are time frames and general restrictions on when the imaging can be scheduled and performed.  Your care provider will help to be sure the time is right for the procedure.
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