Chest Ultrasound

You may have a chest ultrasound as an outpatient. This means you go home the same day. Or it may be done as part of your stay in a hospital. The way the test is done may vary. It will depend on your condition and your healthcare provider’s practices.

You will be asked to remove any clothing, jewelry, or other objects that may get in the way of the scan.

If you are asked to remove clothing, you will be given a gown to wear.

You will lie on the exam table, either on your back or side. Or you will sit with your arms raised and your hands clasped behind your neck. Your position on the table depends on the area that the radiologist needs to look at.

The technologist will put a clear gel on your skin over the area to be looked at.

The technologist will press the transducer against the skin and move it over the area being studied.

You may be asked to shift positions so that the technologist can see other areas. You also may be asked to cough or sniff during the test. This will let the technologist see how certain structures in your chest move.

If blood flow is being looked at, you may hear a “whoosh, whoosh” sound when the Doppler probe is used.

Once the test is done, the technologist will wipe off the gel.

A chest ultrasound is not painful. But you may have some discomfort from having to stay still during the test. The gel will also feel cool and wet. The technologist will use all possible comfort measures. They will do the scan as quickly as possible to minimize any discomfort.