Ultrasound

Why choose us for ultrasounds?

BJC HealthCare works with WashU Medicine physicians, BJC Medical Group, and providers across the region to deliver extraordinary care. We perform nearly 20,000 ultrasounds each year, enabling our experts to catch issues earlier so you receive timely care. This depth of experience also allows us to rule out concerns with certainty so you can feel confident about your health.

With us, you can expect:

• Highly skilled team: You receive services from board-certified radiologists with advanced ultrasound training. Many are leaders in the field whose contributions include new ultrasound scanning techniques. These include thyroid tumor testing. All team members use research-based methods that lead to outstanding care.
• Advanced technology: You have access to the best available ultrasound technology, including shear wave elastography. This procedure allows us to carry out contrast ultrasounds for liver growths, which is a quicker alternative to MRIs, CT scans, or liver biopsy procedures. We are one of the few programs in the area with this capability.
• Sophisticated options: Our team includes radiologists specializing in musculoskeletal ultrasound. Their expertise in joint ultrasound scans helps us monitor arthritis progression. It ensures you receive appropriate care, including partial or complete joint replacement surgery when necessary.

What to expect during an ultrasound

What happens during your ultrasound scan depends on whether you are having a traditional, Doppler or endoscopic exam. We let you know ahead of time how it works and answer all your questions.

This additional information can help you prepare:

• Arrival: Please arrive 15 minutes before your ultrasound appointment. We’ll need to see a photo ID and your insurance card.
• Clothing: Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. You may need to change into a gown. You might also need to remove jewelry.
• Food and drink: For some ultrasound scans, you can eat or drink as usual. With others, we may ask you not to take anything by mouth or arrive with a full bladder.
• Medications: Take medications as you usually would unless our team tells you otherwise.
• Results: A radiologist reads the scan and interprets the results. They share them with your referring physician via electronic medical record.
• Billing: You will receive one bill from the facility providing the scan and another from the radiologist who reads the results. Check with your insurance for specific billing charges to expect.

When is an ultrasound necessary?

Ultrasound scans help us diagnose and manage many conditions, such as:

• Acute injuries and illnesses, like bone fractures and appendicitis
• Heart and blood vessel disease, this type of ultrasound is called an echocardiogram and helps us check for narrowed arteries
• Digestive system concerns that include liver disease, gallstones and kidney problems
• Eye issues, such as cataracts or a detached retina
• Menstrual disorders, such as heavy bleeding
• Pregnancy, including the number of fetuses and whether an unborn baby is developing as expected
• Urologic concerns, like difficulty controlling your bladder (incontinence) and prostate issues