Alaska Family Sonograms Inc.

Products And Services

• Abdominal /Renal

  Safe, Reliable, Experienced Evaluation Of The Abdominal Organs. In modern medicine today, there are many ways to evaluate symptoms and diagnose health problems, some more effective and appropriate than others. Medical imaging is among the most effective, providing detailed images so that doctors can directly observe internal anatomy and spot structural anomalies inside the body.abdominal ultrasound istock 1157838234 scaled 1 For problems in or related to the abdomen, noninvasive ultrasound imaging is especially useful, and becoming increasingly so. A Safe, Proven Way To Obtain Detailed Diagnostic Images. Because it uses sound waves rather than radiation to obtain images — such as with X-rays or CT scans — ultrasound is completely safe for evaluating the organs of the abdomen. It’s also easier than an MRI exam, requiring only a bedside unit that doesn’t involve putting patients into the claustrophobic tunnel of a large, noisy, often frightening machine. In addition, the cost of ultrasound is much lower than MRI, which is why ultrasound’s utilization is increasing and expected to continue expanding as time goes on. Increasing Diagnostic Reach And Accuracy With Real-Time Images. Ultrasound is also helpful because it is a real-time exam, which allows us to see the movement of abdominal structures. This enables the sonographer to react, make adjustments and acquire high-quality images from various angles, ensuring a thorough exam. Examination Of The Abdomen At Alaska Family Sonograms, our, caring, experienced sonographers perform abdominal ultrasound exams with highly trained skill, evaluating the following: Gallbladder (gallstones) Hernias Liver Spleen Pancreas Kidneys Great vessels (aorta and inferior vena cava) The Expertise And Caring You Deserve. As with any ultrasound exam, the diagnostic accuracy and reliability of your abdominal ultrasound requires that the study be performed by a skilled and experienced sonography professional. At Alaska Family Sonograms in Anchorage, our sonographers are highly trained and experienced. Moreover, we provide the accuracy, commitment and communication doctors have depended on for more than 15 years. Is There Any Preparation For A Renal Ultrasound? Drink 24 oz of water 45 minutes before your appointment. What Happens During A Renal Ultrasound? The sonographer will take pictures of your kidneys and your bladder. Pictures of your bladder will be taken before and after you empty your bladder. What Happens If You Pee Before An Ultrasound? If you have emptied your bladder recently before your exam the sonographer will need to wait for your bladder to fill up again before taking pictures of it. This may require you to drink more water. Do You Need To Fast Before A Renal Ultrasound? You do not need to fast before a renal ultrasound. The only preparation is to drink 24 oz of water 45 minutes before your appointment Can The Sonographer Tell You The Results? The sonographer cannot give you definitive results of the ultrasound. That decision is up to our radiologist, who is the doctor that will view and interpret the images the sonographer takes. Read More In Our Recent Blog Publications! Female Pelvic Ultrasound Exam: What You Need To Know If you want to know more, or to schedule an appointment, call 907.561.3601. You can also request an appointment using our easy online form.

  Link: Abdominal /Renal

• Gynecologic & Infertility

  Ultrasound Exams For Infertility And Gynecologic Evaluation. Ultrasound examination by Alaska Family Sonograms staff is a highly proven way to evaluate a wide range of health concerns. But it is particularly well suited for evaluating sensitive reproductive organs, including determining the viability of treatment for fertility problems and the optimal timing of those treatments. Safe, Detailed Imaging For Precise, Thorough Exams. Ultrasound sends harmless sound waves into the body and captures their echoes, which return through different types of tissue at different rates, and are then translated into high-resolution, real-time video. In addition to being safe and providing detail, ultrasound also enables us to: Measure structures precisely See and measure blood flow Make adjustments in real time for a thorough, accurate exam These capabilities are vital for detecting structural anomalies, assessing the viability of certain organs and structures, and surveilling the development of tissues for optimal timing of treatments, particularly when it comes to monitoring fertility. Bringing Experience And High Technology To Gynecologic Ultrasound. At Alaska Family Sonograms, our sonographers are highly experienced in conducting gynecologic ultrasound exams to evaluate the female pelvic organs. Our training, experience and state-of-the-art capabilities enable us to: Determine the size and shape of the uterus and assess for fibroids and tumors. Evaluate the size and shape of the ovaries and look for tumors and cysts. Measure the thickness of the endometrium (uterine lining). Assess the surrounding pelvic area for tumors or masses Evaluating For Fertility And Optimal Timing For Treatments. With our state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment and great deal of experience, our sonographers are able to capture images of, and measure, the ovarian follicles. We are able to evaluate follicle function and maturity, look for residual follicular cysts that may be affecting fertility, and document antral follicles for purposes of in vitro fertilization (IVF). The Expertise And Caring You Deserve Is At AFS. The quality and reliability of ultrasound depend greatly on the skill of the sonographer. At AFS, our sonographers conduct each exam with the expertise doctors have trusted for 15-plus years. Sonohysterograms A sonohysterogram is a type of exam that provides a further look at the inside of the uterus. These are performed at Alaska Family Sonograms by Dr. Carol Mitchell-Springer and Dr. Craig Hinkle. They are assisted by one of our sonographers. These are performed if your doctor/healthcare provider feels it would be more beneficial in their patient’s treatment than a standard gynecologic ultrasound. Schedule Your Consultation Today! Want to know more? Or need to schedule an appointment? Simply call Alaska Family Sonograms at 907.561.3601. You can also request an appointment using our easy online form.

  Link: Gynecologic & Infertility

• Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

  Ultrasound is an excellent way to image and evaluate tendons, ligaments, and muscles due to the ability to dynamically image these structures as they move. This is especially useful when a patient is having pain moving a certain way or performing a specific action, as we can observe and evaluate the area of pain during that movement. The typical locations to evaluate for this type of exam include the shoulder, knee, elbow, and ankle. The most common abnormalities visualized in these areas are: Tendon tears, partial/full thickness Tendinosis Inflammation Ligament tears or ruptures Presence of abnormal joint-space fluid Presence of masses/tumors What Should I Expect For My Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Appointment? A musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound will consist of the sonographer applying gel to the skin service and placing a small transducer on the skin in the area of concern to create the pictures we see. Since ultrasound is a real-time exam we can evaluate the area of the body in question dynamically. This means, for example, if your shoulder hurts when you reach above your head we can evaluate your shoulder while you are performing that motion. This is one of the biggest advantages of ultrasound compared to other imaging like a CT or MRI. What Can Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Detect? For musculoskeletal issues, ultrasound is most often used to detect issues affecting tendons, ligaments, and muscles such as tears or ruptures. It can also diagnose abnormalities in many of the joints in the body (knee, shoulder, elbow, etc). How Long Does A Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Take? We allow at least 45 minutes for a musculoskeletal ultrasound. Depending on the specifics and findings of each exam it may take more or less than the specified 45 minutes. As with all of our exams, we will spend as much time as needed to ensure we have thoroughly evaluated the area(s) of concern. Is Musculoskeletal Ultrasound A Safe Procedure? A diagnostic ultrasound is a safe procedure to have performed. This is because it uses harmless sound waves to create the images we see. There is no radiation or any other harmful effects produced during a diagnostic ultrasound. If you want to know more, or to schedule an appointment, call 907.561.3601. You can also request an appointment using our easy online form.

  Link: Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

• Obstetric

  Obstetric (including Fetal Echocardiography) Anchorage’s Experienced, High-Tech Obstetric Ultrasound. Introduced in the 1950s, ultrasound imaging is very useful as a diagnostic tool in the field of obstetrics. Using sound waves instead of harmful ionizing radiation, ultrasound provides direct images of — and precise information about — both the developing fetus and the pregnancy. Ultrasound: Monitoring And Measuring For Optimal Obstetric Care. Ultrasound produces images by interpreting the echoes of high-frequency sound as it passes through different types of tissue. The various tissue types affect the rate of echo, which a computer translates into distinguishable images. These images are used to monitor and measure a variety of different aspects of pregnancy and fetal development, making ultrasound a vital — and indispensable — part of obstetric care today. Comprehensive Obstetric Ultrasound Exams For Mother And Baby. At Alaska Family Sonograms, our highly trained, credentialed and experienced sonographers are extremely skilled in obstetric ultrasound, which plays an essential role in the care of every pregnant woman. Combining our own capabilities with state-of-the-art ultrasound technology and an unsurpassed commitment to compassion, we perform ultrasound exams to: At Alaska Family Sonograms, our highly trained, credentialed and experienced sonographers are extremely skilled in obstetric ultrasound, which plays an essential role in the care of every pregnant woman. Combining our own capabilities with state-of-the-art ultrasound technology and an unsurpassed commitment to compassion, we perform ultrasound exams to: Diagnose and confirm pregnancy early on – We can see the gestational sac, the yolk sac and the embryo by 5½ weeks. Our sonographers also confirm that the site of the pregnancy is within the uterine cavity. Document the viability of the fetus in the presence of vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy. Diagnose ectopic and molar pregnancies in the first trimester Help determine date of conception and delivery Assess and measure: The baby’s head and spine Fetal organs, including heart, stomach, bladder, kidneys, intestine. The baby’s extremities – arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet and toes Your baby’s face Detect, diagnose and measure fetal malformations. Determine gender, if desired, usually at 16 to 20 weeks. Assess the placenta – detect or exclude placenta previa, and evaluate for placental abnormalities in the presence of diabetes, RH isoimmunization and intrauterine growth restriction. Measure and monitor multiple pregnancies (twins and high-order multiples) Detailed Fetal Anatomy Exam (CPT 76811) A detailed fetal anatomy exam (sometimes called a level 2 exam) of the fetus may be requested when a pregnancy involves increased risk factors. These exams require a more in-depth look at the fetus and are recommended to be scheduled at 20 weeks. Our detailed fetal anatomy scans are read and interpreted by our radiologist Anthony Filly, MD. Fetal Echocardiography (CPT 76825, 76827, 93325) Fetal echocardiograms focus solely on evaluating the structure and function of the fetal heart. These may be indicated if certain factors increase the risk of the fetus having heart problems. We perform these exams with pediatric cardiologists Dr. Dona Brekke and Dr. James Christiansen. Nuchal Translucency Screening (CPT 76813) A nuchal translucency scan is performed between 11 and 13 weeks. This ultrasound is combined with a blood test (blood is retrieved with a finger poke, not a needle). The result gives the risk of a fetus having specific chromosomal abdnormalities ( Trisomy 13, 18, and 21). Advanced, Experienced And Highly Compassionate Ultrasound Care. In addition to regularly scheduled obstetric ultrasounds, Alaska Family Sonograms performs specialized ultrasound exams as needed. And just as important as our state-of-the-art capabilities and experienced skill, we provide the compassion, individualized attention, heartfelt understanding and support pregnant women and couples depend on. Our sonography team is well known in Anchorage for treating everyone like family, catering to their comfort and genuinely being there for them, whatever their needs. State-Of-The-Art Diagnostic And 3D/4D Ultrasound In Anchorage. Also, a longstanding reference site for ultrasound leader Toshiba, AFS has the most up-to-date technology, producing top-quality images for diagnostic purposes but, also, for 3D/4D imaging. We include 3D/4D imaging and pictures as a part of all of our exams starting in the late first trimester. 3D/4D ultrasound – particularly with our highly advanced equipment — provides truly spectacular real-time, three-dimensional footage of your baby, letting you “see” your baby up close even before your delivery date.

  Link: Obstetric

• Scrotal Ultrasound

  Anchorage’s Experienced, Highly Skilled Ultrasound Of The Scrotum And Testicles. The testicles, inside the scrotum, are the male reproductive organs. They are responsible for producing sperm as well as the male sex hormone testosterone. And like all anatomy, they can be affected by a number of different structural abnormalities and disease processes. These can cause discomfort, pain, swelling, infertility and, such as in the case of testicular cancer, serious threats to lifestyle and to life itself. Ultrasound: The Preferred Method For Imaging The Scrotum And Testicles. To assess these and other problems, ultrasound is the primary imaging method for observing and evaluating the health and structure of the testicles and the scrotum itself. One key reason is that ultrasound uses sound waves rather than radiation to construct its images. This makes it completely safe for examining the testicles and the scrotum. But there are other reasons that ultrasound is the preferred way for imaging the testicles. Real-Time Images Make For Diagnostic Thoroughness And Accuracy. One very important aspect of ultrasound is that it is real-time imaging. It provides live, moving images that the sonographer can see while conducting the exam. This means that, during scrotal ultrasound, the credentialed and highly experienced sonographers at Alaska Family Sonograms in Anchorage are able to react to what they’re seeing and make adjustments to the exam itself. So we effectively go on a search to find what, if anything, may be going on in the scrotum, including: Testicular cancer Tumors, masses or lesions Cysts or other lumps or growths Injury Infection Enlarged blood vessels Fluid buildup around the testicle Obstructions or constrictions (testicular torsion) The Experience, Expertise And Human Compassion You Deserve. At Alaska Family Sonograms, we’ve conducted many thousands of scrotal ultrasound exams over the past 15-plus years. As a result, our sonographers are extremely skilled and familiar with the anatomy, the types of abnormalities to watch for and — quite importantly — how to manage your comfort and cater to your sensitivities. We are highly compassionate, understanding and professional people who make you feel at home. We also emphasize communication, interacting with you human to human, explaining your procedure and answering all your questions — all in the interests of diagnostic accuracy and the best, most effective healthcare. To learn more about scrotal ultrasound, or to schedule an appointment, call Alaska Family Sonograms today at 907.561.3601. You can also request an appointment using our easy online form.

  Link: Scrotal Ultrasound

• Thyroid/Neck Ultrasound

  Neck Ultrasound: Diagnosing The Thyroid And Lymph Nodes. Ultrasound examination of the neck is common, because there are critical structures located in the neck, including the thyroid gland and the lymph nodes. Generally, a “neck ultrasound” will be ordered by your medical provider to specifically examine one of these structures for a suspected problem or symptoms. Lymph Node Ultrasound: Empowering Your Doctor’s Accurate Diagnosis. The body’s lymphatic system includes clusters of small, soft structures — lymph nodes — that make immune cells, filter the lymphatic fluid and remove foreign material. When the lymph nodes make more white blood cells to fight infection, they can swell. At AFS, we examine the neck to find and measure abnormal lymph nodes to help doctors understand the symptoms their patients are experiencing. Thyroid Ultrasound: Experience And Expertise Doctors Trust. Medical providers may order a thyroid ultrasound if they detect a lump or enlargement. Thyroid nodules are very common, especially for people over age 50, and they can indicate cancer. Therefore it’s important to evaluate them. At AFS, our sonographers look for nodules and assess the gland’s size, shape, texture and blood flow. For Reliable Ultrasound Studies Of The Neck, Trust Experience. When it comes to neck ultrasound, AFS’ sonographers are specialized and highly experienced. They also use state-of-the-art technology for maximum precision, detail and diagnostic accuracy. See What Our Patients Have To Say! “My experience with AFS could best be described as ‘awesome.’ They are friendly and comforting. I’ve come to them with issues, and I have always felt like I was treated with compassion. Highest rating!” -Lalena K. From the front desk to the sonographers, I’ve always received amazing customer service. I’m never rushed, and they give high-quality care. I have been so impressed with the service here.” – Kelli T. “My experience with AFS could best be described as ‘awesome.’ They are friendly and comforting. I’ve come to them with issues, and I have always felt like I was treated with compassion. Highest rating!” -Lalena K. From the front desk to the sonographers, I’ve always received amazing customer service. I’m never rushed, and they give high-quality care. I have been so impressed with the service here.” – Kelli T. To read more about of patient’s experience with Alaska Family Sonograms Inc., be sure to check out our testimonials section! Schedule Your Consultation Today! For more information, or to schedule your ultrasound exam, call 907.561.3601. You may also request an appointment using our easy online form.

  Link: Thyroid/Neck Ultrasound

• Vascular

  Trust Skill, Experience And State-Of-The-Art Ultrasound Technology. Your vascular system — the arteries and veins — is an essential part of your health. In particular, there are specific vascular conditions that can be extremely risky, even deadly. A blockage in a carotid artery (in the neck) can cause a stroke, including fatal stroke. A clot in the deep veins of the legs (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT) can dislodge and travel to the lungs, where it can block blood flow and cause serious symptoms and — most seriously — death. At Alaska Family Sonograms, we provide skilled, high-tech and experienced ultrasound studies of the carotid artery and suspected DVT in order detect these serious problems, provide an accurate diagnosis and help you get appropriate, effective care. Carotid Ultrasound: Assessing For Stroke Risk And Other Problems. The carotid arteries deliver blood to the head, brain and face. With carotid ultrasound, we can see and measure blood flow, thereby evaluating for stroke risk (and other problems) by looking for arterial narrowing or blockages. High blood pressure or cholesterol, abnormal sound in the neck, diabetes, and family history of stroke or heart disease are also reasons for needing a carotid ultrasound. Deep Vein Ultrasound: Detecting And Diagnosing DVT. A clot in the deep veins of the leg can block venous blood flow and symptoms, including severe pain. It can also lead to pulmonary embolism, which can be deadly. Our experienced ultrasonographers use ultrasound to detect and measure blood clots, a highly objective and effective way to test for DVT. See What Our Patients Are Saying! “My experiences at Alaska Family Sonograms are always professional, friendly and efficient. I’ve come here for sonograms for various conditions for nearly 20 years, and I’ve always been satisfied. Keep up the great service!” – Mary Ellen M., patient “My experience with AFS could best be described as ‘awesome.’ They are friendly and comforting. I’ve come to them with issues, and I have always felt like I was treated with compassion. Highest rating!” – Lalena K., patient “My experiences at Alaska Family Sonograms are always professional, friendly and efficient. I’ve come here for sonograms for various conditions for nearly 20 years, and I’ve always been satisfied. Keep up the great service!” – Mary Ellen M., patient “My experience with AFS could best be described as ‘awesome.’ They are friendly and comforting. I’ve come to them with issues, and I have always felt like I was treated with compassion. Highest rating!” – Lalena K., patient To read more patient testimonials, click here! Schedule Your Vascular Ultrasound Today! For more about DVT and ultrasound imaging for DVT, or to schedule an appointment, call 907.561.3601. You can also schedule an appointment using our easy online form.

  Link: Vascular