Ultrasound in El Paso

# Ultrasound in El Paso

Desert Imaging does ultrasound at four El Paso centers: West, East, Joe Battle and Horizon City. The program is accredited by the American College of Radiology in obstetric, gynecologic, general and vascular ultrasound, and 3D and 4D baby imaging is offered too.

## What it is

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make real-time pictures of organs, vessels, muscles, tendons and joints. There is no radiation, which is why it is the usual first exam for many questions and the exam of choice in pregnancy.

Doppler ultrasound adds color and sound to show blood moving through arteries and veins. Doctors order it for clots in the legs, narrowing in the neck arteries, blood flow to the kidneys and liver, and the aorta. Every Doppler study we do includes spectral and color analysis.

Elastography measures how stiff tissue is. Liver elastography helps your doctor track scarring from chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and fatty liver disease, without a biopsy. It is painless. Breast and thyroid elastography add information about a lump.

**Good to know:** Ultrasound is usually the first look. When it cannot answer the question, your doctor may add a CT, MRI or mammogram.

## Where to get it

- [West](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/west/ultrasound): 122 W. Castellano Dr., El Paso, TX 79912. Elastography of breast, liver and thyroid. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.. Closed Sunday.
- [East](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/lee-trevino/ultrasound): 1727 Lee Trevino Dr., El Paso, TX 79935. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.. Closed Sunday.
- [Joe Battle](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/joe-battle/ultrasound): 3080 Joe Battle Blvd., Suite B, El Paso, TX 79938. Elastography of liver, breast and thyroid. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.. Closed Sunday.
- [Horizon City](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/horizon-city/ultrasound): 13650 Eastlake Blvd., Suite A-102, Horizon City, TX 79928. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.. Closed Sunday.

## What to expect

Preparation depends on the exam. Abdominal exams need an empty stomach for 6 to 8 hours. Pelvic, kidney, bladder and pregnancy exams need a full bladder, so you drink 32 ounces of water 30 to 45 minutes before and do not empty it. Thyroid and most other exams need nothing.

The sonographer applies warm gel and moves a handheld probe over the area. You may be asked to hold your breath or turn on your side. Time depends on the study.

Our ultrasound program is accredited by the American College of Radiology in obstetric, gynecologic, general and vascular ultrasound. A board-certified radiologist reads the exam and the report goes to your doctor and to your patient portal.

**How long it takes:** Depends on the study.

## Exams we perform

From our physician order form. Your doctor names the exact study on the order.

### Abdomen and pelvis

- Abdomen complete, with portal vein Doppler
- Abdominal wall mass, hernia
- Liver with Doppler
- Liver elastography
- Kidneys (renal)
- Kidneys with Doppler
- Bladder, before and after voiding
- Female pelvic complete, with transvaginal
- Pelvic, transabdominal
- Prostate, transrectal
- Testicular with Doppler
- Inguinal hernia

### Pregnancy

- OB, under 14 weeks
- OB, over 14 weeks
- OB, over 30 weeks with S/D ratio
- Biophysical profile
- 3D and 4D baby image, self-pay
- Follicular count, self-pay

### Neck and breast

- Thyroid
- Thyroid fine needle aspiration
- Neck soft tissue
- Breast ultrasound
- Breast elastography

### Vascular

- Carotids
- Aorta
- Venous Doppler, arms or legs
- Arterial Doppler, arms or legs
- Ankle-brachial index
- Penile vessels

### Heart and infants

- Echocardiogram, 2D echo
- Infant hips
- Infant spine
- Nonvascular extremity

## How to prepare

From our preparation sheet. Your appointment confirmation carries the instructions for your exact study.

### Abdomen, liver, liver with Doppler, gallbladder, aorta

- Nothing to eat for 6 to 8 hours before the exam.
- Drink only water on the day of the exam. A small amount of water with medication is fine.

### Kidneys, pelvis, obstetric, bladder, prostate

- Drink 32 ounces of water 30 to 45 minutes before the exam.
- Do not empty your bladder.
- Drink only water before the exam. No carbonated drinks.

### Kidneys with Doppler

- Nothing to eat for 6 to 8 hours before the exam.
- Drink 32 ounces of water 30 to 45 minutes before the exam. Do not empty your bladder.
- Drink only water before the exam.

### Thyroid and other ultrasound exams

- No preparation required.

## Common questions

### Where can I get an ultrasound in El Paso?

At four Desert Imaging centers: West, 122 W. Castellano Dr.; East, 1727 Lee Trevino Dr.; Joe Battle, 3080 Joe Battle Blvd., Suite B; and Horizon City, 13650 Eastlake Blvd., Suite A-102. West and East are open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Joe Battle and Horizon City are open Saturdays too; call (915) 577-0100 for their hours. The ultrasound program is accredited by the American College of Radiology in obstetric, gynecologic, general and vascular ultrasound.

### Do I need a full bladder?

For pelvic, kidney, bladder, prostate and pregnancy exams, yes. Drink 32 ounces of water 30 to 45 minutes before and do not use the restroom until the exam is done. Skip carbonated drinks. For abdominal exams the opposite applies: nothing to eat for 6 to 8 hours and only water on the day of the exam. A small amount of water with medication is fine.

### Can I see my baby in 3D?

Yes. We offer 3D and 4D baby imaging as a self-pay exam. In 3D you see still pictures of the baby in three dimensions, in 4D you see the baby moving. The best window is 26 to 31 weeks. Drink 32 ounces of water 30 to 45 minutes before so your bladder is full.

### Is ultrasound safe in pregnancy?

Ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation. It is the standard exam in pregnancy for measuring the baby and checking that growth is on track.

### What is liver elastography for?

It measures liver stiffness, which rises as scarring builds up in chronic liver disease. Your doctor uses it to judge how far fibrosis has gone and to follow it over time, and some doctors repeat it once a year to see whether the liver is improving or getting worse. The exam is done with FibroScan, takes about 10 minutes, and you do not need a driver afterward. Nothing to eat or drink for 6 to 8 hours before.


## Ready to book?

Request an appointment online and bring your doctor's order. We take it from there.

- [Request an appointment](https://eforms.abbadox.com/240384671438865)
- Call (915) 577-0100