Pediatric Ultrasound

Many of the Pediatric Ultrasound exams offered at our locations are child-tailored versions of traditional adult tests. These include:

• Renal Ultrasound – Used to diagnose an infection (UTI), to evaluate congenital/structural anomalies or follow-up prenatal kidney dilataion (known as hydronephrosis).
• Abdominal Ultrasound – Used to evaluate the cause of abdominal pain or abnormal lab results.
• Pelvic Ultrasound – Used to evaluate pain or possible structural abnormalities of the pelvis.

There are some Ultrasound tests that we offer that are unique to children. These include:

• Hip Ultrasound – Used to evaluate the abnormal development of the hip in children, knows as Dysplasia (performed for children up to 6 months) and/or fluid in the hip joint known as Hip Effusion (performed at any age).
• Spine Ultrasound – Used to evaluate an indentation in the skin on the lower back that is present at birth, known as Sacral Dimple or other soft tissue abnormality overlying the lower spine (ideally performed at 6 weeks of age or younger)
• Head Ultrasound – Used to evaluate the brain in a child if there is a risk of bleeding, fluid, a mass or other abnormality (performed up to 4-6 months of age, while the baby still has a soft spot on his or her head, known as a fontanel).
• Pyloric Stenosis – Used for children with new or progressive vomiting, known as emesis. This is an urgent exam, and is not offered on our usually staffed days at Reston/Herndon. If your child needs a Pyloric Stenosis, rest assured that our Radiologists will perform this exam immediately in a hospital setting.
• Bowel Ultrasound – Used to evaluate children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease or other causes of bowel thickening.

A Pediatric Ultrasound is a quick, safe test that enables us to see what is happening real-time inside your child's body. Unlike some other imaging tests, an Ultrasound uses no radiation, so it is safe for babies and young children.

You will be given complete instructions before the Ultrasound. Depending on the area being examined, your child may be asked to refrain from food or drink before the exam or to drink several glasses of water. With most Ultrasound exams, warm gel is placed over the area to be tested and a probe is gently passed back and forth on your skin over the area to pick up sound waves, which are converted into an image on a screen.

In most cases, a parent may accompany a child during Ultrasound exams. Siblings under the age of 18 are not allowed in the imaging rooms. Young siblings may not be left unattended in the waiting areas. 

Contact our Scheduling Department for an appointment:

Phone: 703.698.4488 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fax: 703.698.0864

Please have your written physician order and your insurance card in hand when making your appointment.

For your convenience, appointments are available every Tuesday at our Reston-Herndon Imaging Center. Learn more about this location.