Radiology in Minnesota

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a safe imaging method that results in moving video images of internal organs when a transducer is placed on skin that has been prepared with water-soluble gel. Ultrasound images many abdominal and pelvic organs, blood vessels, and soft tissues. It can also provide guidance for needle biopsy, fluid drainage, and tumor ablation (destruction).

Mayo Clinic began performing ultrasound examinations in the early 1970s. Today our department employs 50 sonographers (ultrasound technologists), 25 radiologists who specialize in ultrasound and 9 imaging assistants. We have 35 ultrasound machines, and perform about 200 exams per day. Our state-of-the-art equipment is carefully maintained, insuring high quality images.

Our Division of Ultrasound is accredited by the American College of Radiology, and the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories.

• High Resolution Ultrasound of:
  • Thyroid and parathyroid
  • Scrotum
  • Musculoskeletal structures
  • Superficial soft tissues
• Abdominal Ultrasound of:
  • Liver
  • Gallbladder
  • Pancreas
  • Kidney
  • Abdominal aorta
  • Spleen
• Pelvic Ultrasound:
  • Transabdominal pelvic ultrasound
  • Transvaginal pelvic ultrasound
  • Transrectal prostate ultrasound
  • Hysterosonography
  • Endorectal and endoanal ultrasound
• Vascular Ultrasound with color and duplex Doppler of:
  • Carotid arteries
  • Peripheral arteries and grafts
  • Peripheral veins
  • Abdominal aorta
  • Renal arteries and veins
  • Mesenteric arteries and veins
• Interventional Ultrasound — Biopsy and Drainages:
  • Fine needle and core needle biopsies of abdominal, pelvic, soft tissues, and thyroid masses
  • Cyst aspirations and drainages
  • Abscess drainages
  • Paracentesis
  • Thoracentesis
• Tumor ablation
  • Ethanol tumor ablation of:
    • Hepatocellular carcinoma
    • Parathyroid adenoma
    • Recurrent thyroid cancer in neck
  • Radiofrequency tumor ablation:
    • Primary and metastatic liver tumors
    • Renal tumors