What happens during the exam?
Your doctor has requested an ultrasound of the veins in your legs. Ultrasound is an exam that uses sound waves to “see” inside your body. This exam is performed to create a “map” of your leg veins for the doctor in preparation for various procedures that include Radiofrequency Ablation.
- There is no preparation for this procedure.
- The vascular technologist will explain your exam and answer any questions you may have.
- Your ultrasound will be performed with you lying on the examination table on your back with your hands at your sides or on your stomach.
- The technologist will apply warm gel to your leg(s).
- A transducer, a small, microphone-like device, will be placed over various locations on your legs.
- You will not feel any pain; however you will feel mild pressure from the transducer.
- Sound waves will bounce off the muscle and tissue in your body. This creates “echoes.” The echoes are reflected back to the transducer. A television monitor shows images as the transducer converts the echoes to electronic signals. These images may be viewed immediately and/or photographed for further study.
- You may hear unusual sounds as the technologist views and records the blood flowing through the veins in your legs.
- The technologist will then ask you to stand and repeat the process with you in the standing position.
- The technologist will measure your leg vein and may mark your skin to show your doctor the exact location of your vein. Your exam will take approximately 90 minutes.
After Your Exam
-There are no post-exam instructions.
-Your study will be reviewed by a radiologist and the results sent to your physician. Your physician will discuss these results with you and explain what they mean in relation to your health.