Ultrasound is the energy in the form of sound waves produced by a small crystal. The sound waves move at a frequency too high to be heard by the human ear. They are directed into a specific area of the body through a device called a transducer. As the transducer is moved across the skin, the sound waves bounce off tissues inside the body, like echoes. They are changed into pictures of the internal organs. These pictures appear on a screen similar to a television. The type of ultrasound that is most often used, called real-time, combines still pictures one after another to show movement, somewhat like the single frames that make a motion picture.

Ultrasound is used in gynecology to examine the pelvic organs and - along with mammography - the breasts. Ultrasound can help:
•Identify a pelvic or breast mass
•Show the location and characteristics of a mass
•Detect problems causing pelvic pain
•Locate the position of an intrauterine device (IUD)
•Monitor ovulation in treating infertility

Ultrasound is also used extensively in pregnancy. Information on its use in obstetrics can be found on this site at Prenatal Ultrasound.

Laurie Castle, ARDMS, our ultrasonographer, is originally from Atlanta, GA. Laurie received a BBA degree from Kennesaw University and graduated from Ultrasound Diagnostic School in Atlanta.

Laurie is nationally certified by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. She resides in Barrington with her husband and chocolate lab, Nestle.