Pediatric

Among the more common types of pediatric ultrasound examinations are:

• Hip
• Spine
• Head
• Kidneys
• Abdominal

Hips
Pediatric hip ultrasound is a painless procedure using sound waves to generate images. There is no ionizing radiation or intravenous dye. It should be done between the age of birth and 6 months.

Indications for hip ultrasound include the evaluation of:

• Suspected hip dislocation or subluxation
• Hip click
• Breech presentation
• Family history of congenital hip dislocation

How is it performed?
The procedure takes 15 - 30 minutes. The infant lies on the table, while being held securely by the technologist. The radiologist places warm gel on the hip area and the hip joint is manipulated and images taken.

While this exam is painless, an infant may object to being held still. Please bring something that may soothe the infant, such as a pacifier, bottle or favorite toy.

Spine
Pediatric spinal ultrasound is painless procedure using sound waves to generate images of the spinal cord. There is no ionizing radiation or intravenous dye. It should be done between the ages of birth and four months

Indications for spinal ultrasound include the evaluation of:

• Sacral dimple
• Sacral hair tuft
• Localization of the spinal cord

An ultrasound examination may not provide all the information your doctor needs. In these cases, additional studies may be required.

How is it performed?
The procedure takes 15 - 30 minutes. The infant lies on the table, while being held securely by the technologist. The radiologist places warm gel on the lower spine and images are taken.

While this exam is painless, an infant may object to being held still. Please bring something that may soothe the infant, such as a pacifier, bottle or favorite toy.

Head
Pediatric head ultrasound is a painless procedure using sound waves to generate images. There is no ionizing radiation or intravenous dye. It should be performed between the ages of birth and 18 months.

Indications for head ultrasound include the evaluation of:

• Rapidly enlarging head circumference
• Ventricle size
• Ventricular hemorrhage
• Prenatally diagnosed ventricular dilatation

How is it performed?
The procedure takes 15 - 30 minutes. The infant lies on the table, while being held securely by the technologist. Warm gel in used and images are obtained through the anterior fontanelle(anterior soft spot on the skull).

While this exam is painless, an infant may object to being held still. Please bring something that may soothe the infant, such as a pacifier, bottle or favorite toy.

Pediatric renal
Pediatric renal ultrasound is a painless procedure using sound waves to generate images. There is no ionizing radiation or intravenous dye.

Indications for renal ultrasound include the evaluation of:

• Urinary tract, bladder or kidney infections
• Obstruction
• Duplicated collection systems
• Polycystic kidney
• Prenatal diagnosis of a kidney abnormality
• Hydronephrosis
• Dilatation of the renal pelvis (pelvicaliectasis)

How is it performed?
The procedure takes 15 - 30 minutes. The infant/child lies on the table. If exam is performed on an infant, the technologist will hold them securely. Warm gel is used and images are obtained.

While this exam is painless, an infant may object to being held still. Please bring something that may soothe the infant, such as a pacifier, bottle or favorite toy.

Abdominal
Pediatric abdominal ultrasound is a painless procedure using sound waves to generate images. There is no ionizing radiation or intravenous dye.

Indications for abdominal ultrasound include the evaluation of:

• Projectile or abnormal vomiting
• Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis
• Abdominal mass
• Abdominal pain
• Abnormal liver or kidney function tests

How is it performed?
The procedure takes 15 - 30 minutes. The infant/child lies on the table. If exam is performed on an infant, the technologist will hold them securely. Warm gel in used and images are obtained through the abdomen.

While this exam is painless, an infant may object to being held still. Please bring something that may soothe the infant, such as a pacifier, bottle or favorite toy.