Digestive Health Specialists, P.A. - Winston-Salem Advance Kernersville Thomasville North Carolina

Digestive Health Specialists Winston-Salem Advance Kernersville Thomasville North Carolina

Ultrasound

Ultrasound Prep Instructions

Ultrasound Referal Form

The Diagnostic Imaging department of Digestive Health Specialists welcomes the opportunity to serve our referring physicians and patients with the very best in diagnostic ultrasound. As the first outpatient ultrasound facility in Winston-Salem, founded in 1978, we have been dedicated to providing personalized care with superior ultrasound technology.

Why Ultrasound?

Ultrasound is safe. Using harmless sound waves rather than radiation to produce images of internal organs and blood vessels, ultrasound can diagnose many types of medical conditions.

Ultrasound is convenient. Generally, the examinations range from 15 minutes for a simple abdominal study to an hour for a complex vascular or echocardiogram study. Results are obtained quickly. Our goal is for all results to be interpreted by one of our physicians and reported to the referring doctor within hours of the study.

Ultrasound is life saving. Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death in the United States. Ultrasound has become increasingly useful in the area of diagnosing cardiovascular disease. One example is in the area of detecting blood clots in the veins. Each year 2 million Americans develop blood clots in the veins. This situation can become life threatening when left undetected. Early detection is now possible through the use of vascular ultrasound. As a result or ultrasound technology, many cardiovascular diseases can now be prevented.

Ultrasound Department Office Hours & Appointments

Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, by appointment only.

Ultrasound Appointment Phone: (336) 768-3671

Convenient and flexible scheduling is our goal. Same day appointment requests will be accommodated to the best of our ability. In the event an appointment cannot be kept, we would appreciate 24-hour advance notification.

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Physicians

Our physicians have over 70 years of combined experience performing and interpreting ultrasound studies. Landon E. Weeks, M.D. and Bruce R. McCune, M.D. founded Digestive Health Specialists/Diagnostic Imaging in 1978 after performing research on the benefits and use of ultrasound at Wake Forest University Medical Center. C. Randolph McMurchy, M.D. associated with practice the following year. In addition, Dr. Weeks and Dr. McCune founded the first ultrasound laboratory at Forsyth Medical Center. All three physicians continue to interpret studies at Forsyth Medical Center.

Our registered and registry eligible sonographers have over 50 years of experience in the field of ultrasound. To become registered with the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) each sonographer must successfully complete an extensive set of proficiency examinations. Digestive Health Specialists employs sonographers registered in the specialty areas of abdominal, OB/Gyn, vascular and cardiac ultrasound.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Digestive Health Specialists has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in Ultrasound as a result of a recent survey by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

The ACR, headquartered in Reston, VA awards accreditation to facilities for the achievement of high practice standards after a peer-review of its practice. Evaluations are conducted by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. They assess the qualifications of the personnel, adequacy of facility equipment, as well as quality assessement and improvement activities, including peer review.


UPPER ABDOMINAL	A comprehensive evaluation of abdominal organs which include: spleen, pancreas, abdominal aorta, gallbladder, kidneys, liver, and biliary tree. This study is most useful in evaluating gallstones, cysts, and diagnosing sources for abdominal and flank pain.
LOWER ABDOMEN (PELVIS)	A study of the pelvic region that includes views of the bladder, ovaries, uterus, prostate, seminal vesicles, kidneys, and retroperitoneum. Pelvic pain is the most common reason for scanning the lower abdominal region. The most common findings are ovarian cysts, pelvic cysts, and tumors.
TRANSVAGINAL	Designed to look at the uterus and ovaries with very high resolution ultrasound. This study is generally ordered when a trans-abdominal scan cannot clearly identify pelvic pathology.
OBSTETRICAL	Normally ordered to determine: dates, placental localization, and fetal position. With the addition of Doppler and color flow, evaluations of the fetal heart are now an integral part of the complete obstetrical scan. Third trimester problem pregnancies are thoroughly evaluated and in many instances the information obtained has contributed to a higher level of health care for the mother and the fetus.
CARDIAC	A thorough evaluation of the heart with emphasis placed on 2-D imaging, M-Mode measurements, Doppler evaluation of valves, and color flow mapping. Serious conditions such as cardiac tamponade, aortic stenosis, and thrombus are often diagnosed when performing an echocardiogram. Most of these findings would go undiagnosed without a thorough echocardiogram study of the heart. As a result, the echocardiogram has evolved over the years to become a very important diagnostic tool for many physicians.
VASCULAR CAROTID	Studies include views of the carotid, vertebral, and subclavian arteries with color flow imaging and Doppler analysis. This study is most beneficial in the evaluation of TIA'S, plaque formation, syncope, dizziness, and stenotic lesions. Many physicians find it clinically useful to have good, non-invasive evaluations of the extra-cranial cerebral circulation.
ARTERIAL	Scans of the extremities using color, wave form analysis, and segmental pressures. A very useful ultrasound study in the evaluation of leg pain, swelling, and atherosclerosis. Most arterial studies are indicated when patients present with severe leg pain, claudication (exercise induced pain) or ulcerations.
VENOUS	Studies include very thorough views of the deep veins in the legs and arms which is performed to rule out the presence of deep vein thrombosis (clots). By using compression, Doppler, and color, the sonographer is able to effectively pinpoint areas of thrombus. The determination of deep vein thrombosis and the timely treatment can, in most instances, prevent a life-threatening situation from developing. This study is most often indicated for severe leg pain and swelling.
SMALL PARTS	The evaluation of specific parts of the body such as: testicles, thyroid, breasts, popliteal fossa, and others. Generally indicated when suspicious nodules are found.