Diagnostic Ultrasound

Accredited by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, the Division of Diagnostic Ultrasound specializes in both gynecologic and obstetrical ultrasound. The division is comprised of Maternal Fetal Medicine Physicians and Gynecologic Ultrasound Specialists, a dedicated team of professionals who are committed to providing the highest quality care and patient satisfaction.

Routine Services

Using state of the art ultrasound equipment, our team provides the following prenatal services: 

  • Routine Obstetrical Ultrasound – evaluation of pregnancy, determining fetal life, number, presentation, gestational age, placental position and evaluation of the anatomy of the fetus, following the guidelines of The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.
  • Detailed (Level II) Ultrasound - a targeted ultrasound evaluation for mothers at risk for fetal abnormalities or a second opinion ultrasound of a high risk pregnancy with a known fetal abnormality.
  • Nuchal Translucency - a non-invasive prenatal screening test conducted during 11-14 weeks of pregnancy.
    A Nuchal Scan helps identify higher risks of Down Syndrome in fetuses, particularly for older mothers who have higher risks of such pregnancies. The scan assesses the amount of fluid behind the neck of the fetus; babies with Down Syndrom risks tend to have a higher amount of fluid around the neck. The test may also help confirm both the accuracy of the pregnancy dates and fetal well-being, as well as detect other less common chromosomal abnormalities.
  • Fetal Well-Being Evaluation (Biophysical Profile and Fetal Non-Stress Testing) - evaluates movement, tone, fetal breathing, the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus, and accelerations in heart rate with fetal movement.
  • Doppler Studies of the fetus including UA (umbilical artery), MCA (middle cerebral artery) and Ductus Venosus to evaluate the blood flow in the fetal umbilical cord and brain.

Obstetrical Consultation Services

  1. Genetic consultation available for suspected chromosomal abnormalities and fetal malformations (such as neural tube defects, gastroschisis, diaphragmatic hernia, etc.)
  2. Amniocentesis and CVS (invasive procedures) performed when indicated, for women who have a significant risk for known genetic or hereditary disorders, abnormal ultrasounds or family history of genetic diseases.  Amniocentesis is done in the second trimester (16 to 22 weeks). This procedure takes a sample of amniotic fluid, which contains cells excreted by the fetus, to be analyzed for chromosome abnormalities like Down Syndrome or spina bifida or other genetic diseases. CVS is used to confirm a suspected genetic problem after initial screening. A more invasive procedure, CVS takes a few cells from the placenta to be analyzed. Past risks of CVS have been reduced by conducting the procedure later in the pregnancy, at least 10 weeks.
  3. Management of Maternal Diseases Affecting Pregnancy (Diabetes, Renal Disorders, Sickle Cell Disease, etc.)
  4. Ultrasound-guided Fetal Blood Transfusion
  5. Percutaneous Umbilical Cord Blood Sampling (PUBS), or fetal blood sampling, is a procedure in which a blood sample is withdrawn from the umbilical cord while the fetus is still in the uterus. It is used mainly for rapid chromosome analysis or to evaluate fetuses at risk for certain blood disorders
  6. Amnioinfusion, performed when there is indication that the fetus lacks amniotic fluid (a protective sac which surrounds the baby)
  7. Other Fetal Invasive Procedures such as bladder tapping, performed to determine fetal kidney function

Gynecology/Oncology Services

Screening for and evaluation of suspected gynecologic and oncologic diseases are carried out using both abdominal and transvaginal sonography.

Services include:

  • Routine Pelvic Ultrasounds for evaluation of the uterus, ovaries, endometrium and adnexa
  • Ultrasound-guided aspiration of ovarian cysts, pelvic abscesses and post-operative collections
  • Sonohysterography for evaluation of intracavitary uterine pathologies (polyps, myomas) and uterine anomalies
  • Conservative Management of Cervical Ectopic Pregnancies by ultrasound guided injection of potassium chloride or methotrexate

Where We Practice

The Diagnostic Ultrasound Division offers services at: