An ultrasound is a way of taking pictures of the inside of the body with sound waves.
An ultrasound of the kidneys, bladder, or pelvis should be done before an upper GI, barium enema, colonoscopy, endoscopy, and nuclear medicine tests.
Your appointment
Please see your appointment letter for the location of your ultrasound procedure. If you have any questions, please call Radiology Scheduling at 1-319-356-3444.
Preparing for the procedure
Food
Children
Children 0-5 years of age: No soda/pop on the day of the test.
Children 6-17 years of age: No soda/pop on the day of the test.
A full bladder is best for this test if the child is able to hold their urine.
Adults 18 years of age or older
One to two hours before the test:
Empty your bladder. Do not empty your bladder again until after the test is done.
If you have a bladder catheter, this should be clamped 1-2 hours before the test.
One hour before the test
Drink four eight-ounce glasses of fluids (32 ounces total).
Medications
You may take your usual medicines before your test.
What to expect
The procedure will take 45 minutes to one hour
A gel is put on to the skin and a scanner is placed on the area to get the picture. The sound waves are made into a picture.
After the procedure
If a urine sample is needed, it must be done after the test.
The contents of this website are for information purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not rely on the information provided for medical decision making and should direct all questions regarding medical matters to their physician or other health care provider. Use of this information does not create an express or implied physician-patient relationship.