General Ultrasound

Please Note: We will be closed for the upcoming September long weekend. This includes Saturday August 31st to Monday September 2nd. We will reopen on Tuesday September 3rd for regular business hours.

Please select your exam from the below options to find out more about the procedure and the preparation required for your exam.

During an abdomen exam, Pureform uses ultrasound waves to produce images of the internal organs of the abdomen. This exam may help to determine abnormalities in the different areas including the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, kidneys or other areas of concern.

Pureform Procedure

You will be brought back to an ultrasound exam room. A gown will be provided.

After positioning on a bed (positioning is exam specific) the sonographer will begin the exam by preparing the area for scanning. This preparation involves ensuring the area to be scanned is clean and free of obstructions (such as clothing or jewelry).

A transmission medium such as gel or cream will be applied to the area to ensure sufficient transmission of ultrasound waves. This ensure excellent image quality. During the exam the ultrasound transducer will be moved around the areas of concern, ensuring each area is imaged completely. The sonographer may reposition a patient or require them to breath in or out at specific times to ensure all needed images are taken.

From time to time the sonographer may need to apply some pressure on the probe to completely image a structure. This may cause some minor discomfort but should never be painful. Please communicate with your sonographer during your exam to ensure the best possible experience.

Preparation

Please arrive 15 minutes early and to bring your Alberta Health Care card.

This exam requires that you do not eat or drink 6 hours prior to your appointment however please take any prescribed medications.

When Will I get my Results?

Your doctor who ordered the exam will receive the results within 1-2 days or same day if required urgently.

Liver Elastography does not replace Liver Dopplers but is another screening tool in the management of liver conditions. Elastography uses shear wave technology to detect liver fibrosis or stiffness of the liver.The stage of liver fibrosis is important to determine prognosis and surveillance.

Pureform Procedure

After positioning on a bed (positioning is exam specific) the sonographer will begin the exam by preparing the area for scanning. This preparation involves ensuring the area to be scanned is clean and free of obstruction.

A transmission medium such as gel or cream will be applied to the area to ensure sufficient transmission of ultrasound waves. This ensures excellent image quality.

During the exam the ultrasound transducer will be moved around the areas of concern, ensuring each area is imaged completely. The sonographer may reposition a patient to ensure all needed images are taken. Your sonographer might need you to do certain breathing techniques as well.

From time to time the sonographer may need to apply some pressure on the probe to completely image a structure. This may cause some minor discomfort but should never be painful. Please communicate with your sonographer during your exam to ensure the best possible experience.

For this particular exam the ultrasound machine will produce a sound similar to a heartbeat or a wave. This is assess the flow through the vascular structures and is standard.

Preparation

Nothing to eat or drink for 6 hours prior to your exam. Please let your booking representative know if you are diabetic. Please arrive 15 minutes early and bring your Alberta Health Care card.

When Will I get my Results?

Your doctor who ordered the exam will receive the results within a week or same day if required urgently.

Otherwise known as Kidneys, Ureter and Bladder Ultrasound (KUB) This exam may be ordered from your doctor when they are looking for kidney stones, incontinence, bladder infections or any other abnormalities.

Pureform Procedure

You will be brought back to an ultrasound exam room. A gown will be provided.

After positioning on a bed (positioning is exam specific) the sonographer will begin the exam by preparing the area for scanning. This preparation involves ensuring the area to be scanned is clean and free of obstructions (such as clothing or jewelry).

A transmission medium such as gel or cream will be applied to the area to ensure sufficient transmission of ultrasound waves. This ensure excellent image quality. During the exam the ultrasound transducer will be moved around the areas of concern, ensuring each area is imaged completely.

From time to time the sonographer may need to apply some pressure on the probe to completely image a structure. This may cause some minor discomfort but should never be painful. Please communicate with your sonographer during your exam to ensure the best possible experience.

Preparation

Please arrive 15 minutes early and to bring your Alberta Health Care card.

This requires a full bladder in order to complete the exam. 1.5 hours prior to your appointment please drink 1 litre of water. Finish drinking all the water 1 hour prior to your appointment. Please do not empty your bladder. You may eat your regular meals or snack prior to your appointment.

When Will I get my Results?

Your doctor who ordered the exam will receive the results in 1-2 business days or same day if required urgently.

This exam is performed to locate and image the appendix, which is in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. This portion of the bowel is prone to becoming inflamed and ultrasound is a good tool to determine this.

Pureform Procedure

We will start with you lying on your back. Varying amounts of pressure will be used to scan the right lower quadrant in order to assess the appendix. This may be slightly uncomfortable but very important in order to fully assess the area of concern.

The sonographer will check every one of these exams with an on site Radiologist prior to sending you away.

A transmission medium such as gel or cream will be applied to the area to ensure sufficient transmission of ultrasound waves. This ensure excellent image quality. During the exam the ultrasound transducer will be moved around the areas of concern, ensuring each area is imaged completely. The sonographer may reposition a patient or require them to breath in or out at specific times to ensure all needed images.

From time to time the sonographer may need to apply some pressure on the probe to completely image a structure. This may cause some minor discomfort but should never be painful. Please communicate with your sonographer during your exam to ensure the best possible experience.

Preparation

Please arrive 15 minutes early and to bring your Alberta Health Care card.

This will vary according to what is checked off on your requisition. Please ask your booking coordinator for your specific instructions.

When Will I get my Results?

Your referring doctor will receive a report in 1-2 business days or same day if required urgently.

This exam is performed to locate and image the bladder, urinary jets as well as the reproductive organs. In men, a pelvic ultrasound can be used to check for problems with the bladder, prostate gland, and seminal vesicles.

Pureform Procedure

After position on a bed (positioning is exam specific) the sonographer will begin the exam by preparing the area for scanning. This preparation involves ensuring the area to be scanned is clean and free of obstruction.

A transmission medium such as gel or cream will be applied to the area to ensure sufficient transmission of ultrasound waves. This ensures excellent image quality.

During the exam the ultrasound transducer will be moved around the areas of concern, ensuring each area is imaged completely. The sonographer may reposition a patient to ensure all needed images are taken.

From time to time the sonographer may need to apply some pressure on the probe to completely image a structure. This may cause some minor discomfort but should never be painful. Please communicate with your sonographer during your exam to ensure the best possible experience.

Preparation

Please have a full bladder on arrival. Drink 1 litre of water 1.5 hours prior to appointment. Please arrive 15 minutes early and bring your Alberta Health Care card.

When Will I get my Results?

Your doctor who ordered the exam will receive the results in 1-2 business days or same day if required urgently.

This ultrasound is most often performed to evaluate the: Uterus, Cervix, Ovaries, Fallopian Tubes, Bladder, at Pureform we assess the Kidneys as well. Ultrasound examinations can help diagnose symptoms experienced such as: Pelvic pain, Abnormal vaginal bleeding, IUD placement, Menstrual problems, Ovarian Cysts and Uterine Fibroids.

Pureform Procedure

Your sonographer will apply gel to the exam site then slide and rotate a handheld transducer/probe over your lower abdomen and pelvis to obtain images.

A full bladder is required at the start of this exam as it improves the visibility of the pelvic organs and allows the bladder to be imaged. Once the required images are obtained you may use the washroom.

It is crucial to follow the preparation instructions for this exam as the bladder cannot be seen if it is not full at the start of your exam.

If needed, an endovaginal or internal ultrasound will be completed with your consent. After you have used the washroom to empty your bladder and positioned back onto the table. A small probe that you, as a patient inserts into the vagina. This highly specialized camera will take pictures of areas of concern. Your sonographer will explain in detail and answer any further questions you might have.

The exam itself is not painful however mild to moderate pressure may be applied to acquire images. You may feel increased pressure or the sensation of urgency while the probe is moved over your bladder.

Preparation

Please arrive 15 minutes early and to bring your Alberta Health Care card.

This requires a full bladder in order to complete the exam. 1.5 hours prior to your appointment please drink 1 litre of water. Finish drinking all the water 1 hour prior to your appointment. Please do not empty your bladder. You may eat your regular meals or snack prior to your appointment.

When Will I get my Results?

Your doctor who ordered the exam will receive the results in 1-2 business days or same day if required urgently.

An abdominal wall ultrasound is requested in order to diagnose a hernia in this area. Pain, swelling a lump, protrusion or after abdominal surgery may be reasons for this ultrasound.

Pureform Procedure

After positioning on a bed (positioning is exam specific) the sonographer will begin the exam by preparing the area for scanning. This preparation involves ensuring the area to be scanned is clean and free of obstruction (such as clothing and jewelry).

A transmission medium such as gel or cream will be applied to the area to ensure sufficient transmission of ultrasound waves. This ensures excellent image quality.

During the exam the ultrasound transducer will be moved around the areas of concern, ensuring each area is imaged completely. The sonographer may reposition a patient to ensure all needed images are taken.

From time to time the sonographer may need to apply some pressure on the probe to completely image a structure. This may cause some minor discomfort but should never be painful. Please communicate with your sonographer during your exam to ensure the best possible experience.

Preparation

No specific preparation required other than to arrive 15 minutes early and to bring your Alberta Health Care card.

When Will I get my Results?

Your doctor who ordered the exam will receive the results within 1-2 days or same day if required urgently.

A groin ultrasound may be ordered by your referring physician if you have a lump, pain and or swelling in the groin area or if suspected muscle tear.

Pureform Procedure

After position on a bed (positioning is exam specific) the sonographer will begin the exam by preparing the area for scanning. This preparation involves ensuring the area to be scanned is clean and free of obstruction.

A transmission medium such as gel or cream will be applied to the area to ensure sufficient transmission of ultrasound waves. This ensures excellent image quality.

During the exam the ultrasound transducer will be moved around the areas of concern, ensuring each area is imaged completely. The sonographer may reposition a patient to ensure all needed images are taken.

From time to time the sonographer may need to apply some pressure on the probe to completely image a structure. This may cause some minor discomfort but should never be painful. Please communicate with your sonographer during your exam to ensure the best possible experience.

Preparation

No specific preparation required other than to arrive 15 minutes early and to bring your Alberta Health Care card.

When Will I get my Results?

Your doctor who ordered the exam will receive the results in 1-2 business days or same day if required urgently.

Please note: In April 2017 the Alberta Medical Association changed the guidelines on who can order an Inguinal Hernia exam. General Practitioner’s may still order Inguinal Hernia exams for their pediatric patients but not for adults. We can however still do groin exams for other indications.

Common reasons a scrotal ultrasound would be ordered: Lump, trauma, pain, infertility issues, undescended testes. This exam is ordered urgently if testicular torsion is suspected.

Pureform Procedure

After positioning on a bed (positioning is exam specific) the sonographer will begin the exam by preparing the area for scanning. This preparation involves ensuring the area to be scanned is clean and free of obstruction.

A transmission medium such as gel or cream will be applied to the area to ensure sufficient transmission of ultrasound waves. This ensures excellent image quality.

During the exam the ultrasound transducer will be moved around the areas of concern, ensuring each area is imaged completely. The sonographer may reposition a patient to ensure all needed images are taken. Your sonographer might need you to do certain breathing techniques as well.

From time to time the sonographer may need to apply some pressure on the probe to completely image a structure. This may cause some minor discomfort but should never be painful. Please communicate with your sonographer during your exam to ensure the best possible experience.

For this particular exam the ultrasound machine will produce a sound similar to a heartbeat or a wave. This is assess the flow through the vascular structures and is standard.

Preparation

No specific preparation required other than to arrive 15 minutes early and to bring your Alberta Health Care card.

When Will I get my Results?

Your doctor who ordered the exam will receive the results within a week or same day if required urgently.

A thyroid ultrasound examines the thyroid gland and lumps within the neck. It may be ordered following blood work or any noticeable lumps or swelling. Sometimes a Radiologist may recommend a fine needle aspiration (as per assessment criteria ) on a lump to obtain a small tissue sample to send away to the laboratory for testing.

Pureform Procedure

After positioning on a bed (positioning is exam specific) the sonographer will begin the exam by preparing the area for scanning. This preparation involves ensuring the area to be scanned is clean and free of obstruction (such as clothing and jewelry).

A transmission medium such as gel or cream will be applied to the area to ensure sufficient transmission of ultrasound waves. This ensures excellent image quality.

During the exam the ultrasound transducer will be moved around the areas of concern, ensuring each area is imaged completely. The sonographer may reposition a patient to ensure all needed images are taken.

From time to time the sonographer may need to apply some pressure on the probe to completely image a structure. This may cause some minor discomfort but should never be painful. Please communicate with your sonographer during your exam to ensure the best possible experience.

Preparation

No specific preparation required other than to arrive 15 minutes early and to bring your Alberta Health Care card.

When Will I get my Results?

Your doctor who ordered the exam will receive the results in 1-2 business days or same day if required urgently.

A neck ultrasound examines the salivary glands (submandibular and parotid glands on both the right and left sides of the neck) as well as lymph nodes and lumps within the same area. It may be ordered following blood work or any noticeable lumps or swelling. Sometimes a Radiologist may recommend a fine needle aspiration (as per assessment criteria) on a lump to obtain a small tissue sample to send away to the laboratory for testing.

Pureform Procedure

After position on a bed (positioning is exam specific) the sonographer will begin the exam by preparing the area for scanning. This preparation involves ensuring the area to be scanned is clean and free of obstruction (such as clothing and jewelry

A transmission medium such as gel or cream will be applied to the area to ensure sufficient transmission of ultrasound waves. This ensures excellent image quality.

During the exam the ultrasound transducer will be moved around the areas of concern, ensuring each area is imaged completely. The sonographer may reposition a patient to ensure all needed images are taken.

From time to time the sonographer may need to apply some pressure on the probe to completely image a structure. This may cause some minor discomfort but should never be painful. Please communicate with your sonographer during your exam to ensure the best possible experience.

Preparation

No specific preparation required other than to arrive 15 minutes early and to bring your Alberta Health Care card.

When Will I get my Results?

Your doctor who ordered the exam will receive the results in 1-2 business days or same day if required urgently.