Women's Imaging Centre - Lafayette

Diagnostic Ultrasound

Diagnostic Ultrasound is a medical imaging technique that uses inaudible sound waves to visualize organs and tissues of the body. The scans are performed by medical health care professionals called sonographers, and interpreted by Radiologists. Sonographers typically use a probe (called a transducer) that is placed directly on and moved over the patient. A water-based gel is used to couple the ultrasound between the transducer and patient. Besides diagnosis, the Radiologist can perform procedures such as biopsies with the guidance of ultrasound. As currently applied in the medical environment, ultrasound poses no known risks to the patient.

High Resolution Hand Held Ultrasound

Conventional ultrasound is done by a sonographer, or sometimes by the radiologist using a hand held probe targeting certain organs or tissues of the body. Representative images of normal or abnormal structures are documented and interpreted by the Radiologist. This is the standard way in which ultrasound is done at most medical facilities. Doppler images may be added to evaluate vessels or blood flow in specific tissues. In the case of breast imaging, hand held ultrasound is used to characterize lesions seen on mammography or found on physical exam. It is also used to guide certain breast biopsy procedures.

High Resolution Automated Whole Breast Ultrasound

Automated Breast Ultrasound is a proprietary technology that methodically scans a woman’s breast capturing up to 350 ultrasound images that can be reconstructed and reviewed in 3D. This technique is useful as an adjunctive tool combined with mammography to screen women who have mammographically dense breasts. Medicare or private insurance does not cover screening breast ultrasound.

How do I prepare for the exam?

Preparation depends on the type of ultrasound exam you will have. When you schedule, the scheduler will give you specific instructions. If you are having a breast ultrasound, no specific preparation is needed.

Why Women’s Imaging Centre, Lafayette?

Women’s Imaging Centre-Lafayette performs both high resolution hand held as well as high-resolution automated whole breast ultrasound. Both types of ultrasound exams are performed with the most state of the art equipment on the market. The U-Systems automated whole breast ultrasound device is the first and only of its kind in the State of Louisiana, and is an effective adjunct to screening mammography in patients that have mammographically dense breasts.

We offer:

Easy scheduling and same day/next day appointments
Comfortable surroundings
Highly trained, caring staff