Ultrasound Imaging Technology for Vascular Access and Hernia

With ultrasound equipment, sound waves are sent through the patients body and reflected off internal organs. The reflections are read by special instruments which are capable of creating images of anatomical parts.

Ultrasound medical imaging generates images in real-time and does not use ionizing radiations. Ultrasound

technology is useful in monitoring the success of a surgical operation (such as arterial bypass surgery), flow of blood through tissues and organs after surgery, abnormalities (such as blood clots, emboli or plaque), hernia and blockages (stenosis).

Vascular Access and Hernia Ultrasound

The emergency rooms of general surgery centers often record numerous complaints about abdominal hernias. Incarcerated hernias will cause pain and swelling, and they may require immediate surgical attention when strangulated. Consulting a surgeon when a patient has a suspected inguinal hernia, groin pain, and lower abdominal pain without previous inguinal hernia surgery is critical because surgeons can conduct meticulous physical examinations to identify or rule out incarcerated hernias. Surgeons will recommend ultrasound imaging when a physical examination does not yield conclusive results. Imaging the incarcerated hernias helps a surgeon identify the contents of hernia sacs and, in turn, assists in distinguishing adipose tissue from bowel and identifying concomitant pathology, including bowel wall thickening, free fluid, abnormal blood flow, aperistalsis, and pneumotosis coli. A view of the abdominal wall using ultrasound imaging helps locate breaks within the hernia sac as the surgeon plans the best approach for reducing and repairing the hernia. With specificity and sensitivity ranging between 80% and 100% in the evaluation of femoral and inguinal hernias, and 75% accuracy in groin pathology that shows no palpable bulge (lipoma or hernia), ultrasound is essential to a definitive evaluation prior to vascular surgery. Patients with suspected or known ventral hernia, incisional hernia, recurrent inguinal hernia (following inguinal hernia surgery) and spigelian hernia can be definitively diagnosed by combining ultrasound medical imaging with CT scans.

Bay Surgical Ultrasound Specialists

Bay Surgical Specialists vascular laboratory offers diverse ultrasound testing through state-of-the-art

equipment and board-certified vascular technologists. The vascular tests are interpreted by fellowship trained hernia and vascular surgeons. With advanced vascular access imaging technology, diagnostic angiography, endovenous laser-ablation for varicose veins, salvage procedures and fidelity to minimally invasive techniques, Bay Surgical Specialists boast of expertise in arterial and venous ultrasound imaging necessary for identification and treatment of all vascular conditions. Visit the Bay Surgical Specialists Blog for more information on vascular access and hernia diagnosis and treatment.

Bay Surgical Specialists baysurgicalspecialists@gmail.com 960 7th Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33705 (727) 456-8882 (Phone) 727-825-1357 (Fax)