Health Library

Ultrasound imaging is a test that uses sound waves to make detailed pictures of your organs. There are three different kinds of ultrasound imaging: abdominal, pelvic, and Doppler ultrasound. Each of these imaging tests can help your healthcare provider assess pain or other symptoms in different parts of your body. Ultrasound does not involve any radiation, and is generally a very safe procedure. Still, you should discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.

Fetal ultrasound is a test used during pregnancy to create an image of the baby in the mother's womb (uterus).

A pelvic ultrasound is a scan that looks at the organs and structures in your pelvic area. Read on to learn details about what to expect before, during, and after this scan.

An abdominal ultrasound is an imaging test used to assess the organs and structures in the belly. Read on to learn what to expect before, during, and after the test.

A kidney ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to look at your kidneys. It can check the size, shape, and location of your kidneys. It also lets your healthcare provider see how well blood is flowing in your kidneys.

Breast ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to look at your breasts. It can help your healthcare provider find breast problems. It also lets your provider see how well blood is flowing to areas in your breasts. This test is often used along with mammography.

Endoscopic sinus surgery is a procedure to open the passages of the nose and sinuses. It is done to treat long-term (chronic) sinus infections. An ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT) does the surgery.

A chest ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to look at the structures and organs in your chest. It can help your healthcare provider see how well your lungs and heart are working.

Endoscopic endonasal surgery is a minimally invasive technique that allows a surgeon to go through the nose to operate on areas at the front of the brain and the top of the spine.

After a diagnosis of bile duct cancer, you will likely need other tests. These tests help your healthcare providers learn more about the cancer.

After a diagnosis of stomach cancer, you will likely have other tests. These tests help your healthcare providers learn more about your cancer. Learn which tests you may have.

A prostate or rectal ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to look at your prostate or your rectum.

If your healthcare provider thinks you have esophageal cancer, you'll need tests. You may have imaging tests and a biopsy.

ERCP stands for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. ERCP is used to diagnose and treat problems in your liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas. All of these organs help with digestion.

Learn details about ERCP, a procedure to diagnose and treat problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas.

Doppler flow is a type of ultrasound. It uses sound waves to measure the flow of blood through a blood vessel. The results are shown on a computer screen in lines called waveforms. It's sometimes called Doppler velocimetry. A Doppler flow study may be used during pregnancy to check the health of the unborn baby.

An endoscope is a small, flexible tube with a light and a lens on the end used to look into the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, colon, or rectum. It can also be used to take tissue from the body for testing or to take color photographs of the inside of the body.

If your healthcare provider thinks you might have pancreatic cancer, you'll need certain exams and tests to be sure. Learn what tests are used to diagnose pancreatic cancer.

Vascular studies use ultrasound (sound wave) technology to assess the flow of blood in arteries and veins in the arms, legs, and neck.

A fiberoptic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) test is a procedure used to assess how well you swallow. During the procedure, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) passes a thin, flexible instrument through your nose. Then the SLP views parts of your throat as you swallow.