Ultrasound and Doppler

Echography, or ultrasonography, is a medical imaging method that uses sound waves to produce detailed images of the body’s interior. Ultrasound waves bounce off organs to create a multi-dimensional image.

All procedures offered at both clinics are covered by the Régie d’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ—health insurance card), with the exception of MRI and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections. The latter are often covered by private or group insurance plans, or by the SAAQ and CNESST if required by one of these two organizations.

Description

Painless, non-invasive and radiation-free, it is essential in many medical contexts to diagnose and monitor various conditions.

Doppler tests are complementary tools that can also be used to analyze blood circulation.

Why have an ultrasound?

Ultrasound is commonly used to:

• Observe internal organs such as the liver, kidneys, gallbladder and thyroid.
• Monitor pregnancies and evaluate fetal development.
• Detect soft tissue abnormalities such as cysts or tumours.
• Assess blood circulation using advanced techniques, such as Doppler.
• Guide medical interventions such as biopsies or infiltrations.

General radiology and ultrasound services under prescription are covered by your health insurance card. Our team is fast; your doctor is likely to receive your results on the same day!

Preparation for the test

Preparation for ultrasound procedures may vary depending on the type of ultrasound.

Abdomen or bladder: Fast 6 to 8 hours before the examination.

Pelvis: Drink 1 to 1.5 litres of water at least one hour before the procedure. Do not urinate before the test; a full bladder is necessary.

Other ultrasounds: No specific preparation, unless otherwise indicated.

Our technologists will give you all the necessary instructions before your appointment.

At the time of your appointment, please make sure you have:

• your valid health insurance card
• the original medical prescription signed by the requesting professional

Test procedure

Ultrasound procedure

Preparation: Depending on the type of ultrasound (abdominal, pelvic, etc.), specific instructions (fasting, full bladder) may be necessary.

Patient position: You will be lying down or placed in a suitable position to allow optimal access to the area being examined.

Gel application: A conductive gel is applied to the skin to facilitate sound wave transmission.

Use of the probe: The technician or radiologist moves the probe (transducer) over the area being examined to capture images in real time.

Duration: Approximately 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the complexity of the procedure.

Doppler procedure

Doppler generally follows the same steps as an ultrasound, with a few specific differences:

Duration: May be slightly longer than a standard ultrasound, depending on the vascular segments studied (20 to 40 minutes).

Preparation and position: Identical to ultrasound, but the patient’s position may need to be altered slightly to optimize access to the targeted vessels.

Use of a Doppler probe: Similar to the ultrasound probe, but this captures additional information on blood flow using the Doppler effect (analysis of frequency changes in reflected sound waves).

Visualization of blood flow: In real time, colours or graphs indicate the speed and direction of blood flow in the vessels.

Precautions and contraindications

Ultrasound is generally risk-free, but a few precautions should be noted:

Open wounds: If the area being examined is injured, this may affect the examination or require adjustments.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Totally safe, including Doppler ultrasounds.

Pacemakers or medical implants: Let us know if you have any implanted devices that could influence certain examinations.

Fees

To view the fees for all the procedures we perform, please consult our fee schedule.

You can also check whether procedure fees are covered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).