Ultrasound

Ultrasound uses gentle sound waves—not radiation—to show what’s beneath your skin. When you need this simple test, schedule it with the imaging experts at UNC Health Wayne in Goldsboro.

Accredited Care

UNC Health Wayne holds accreditation in ultrasound from the American College of Radiology. That means you can trust us for:

• Advanced equipment
• Highly qualified staff
• Strict measures to ensure accurate test results

Why Do I Need Ultrasound?

Ultrasound, also called sonography, can check:

• Blood flow in arteries or veins (Doppler ultrasound)
• Lumps or cysts, including in the breast or thyroid
• Placement of a needle that takes a tissue sample for a biopsy

Your care team may also use ultrasound to guide thoracentesis or paracentesis, which drain excess fluid from your chest or abdomen.

How to Prepare

When you schedule your appointment, you’ll learn if you need to take any steps to get ready for ultrasound imaging. Many ultrasound exams require no preparation.

What to Expect

After arriving, you may need to change into a hospital gown. Then, you’ll lie on an exam table.

For most ultrasound exams, a technologist will apply a water-based gel to the area of the body the test will examine. Then, they’ll gently move a device called a transducer along the skin. The device sends out sound waves that make pictures on a monitor the technologist sees.

Results

A board-certified radiologist will review your images. Your primary care provider will receive a report and follow up with you to discuss the next steps.

Within 14 days of your test, you’ll be able to view your results in My UNC Chart, our secure, online patient portal.