Ultrasound exams are common tools in healthcare, but the terms screening and diagnostic ultrasound often confuse patients. These words might sound like insurance jargon, but they actually describe very different purposes and processes during your ultrasound visit. Knowing the difference can help you understand what your ultrasound is looking for, how your care team approaches the exam, and what to expect afterward. Ultrasound machine displaying fetal image during prenatal s

Not every lump in your neck is something serious—but it always deserves a clear answer. In this blog, we explain how thyroid and neck ultrasound helps evaluate nodules, swollen glands, and other soft-tissue bumps without radiation or needles. You’ll learn what the sonographer is looking for, what words like “solid,” “cystic,” or “vascular” mean on your report, and when a simple ultrasound is enough versus when your doctor might recommend more testing.

Paying out of pocket for an ultrasound can feel confusing—are you just buying pictures, a full medical report, or both? In this blog, we break down exactly what “self-pay” ultrasound means, what’s typically included, what isn’t, and how to compare prices without sacrificing quality. You’ll learn when a private scan makes sense, what kind of results you can expect, and how to walk into your appointment knowing there won’t be any surprise bills later.

Breast ultrasound and mammograms work together, not against each other. In this blog, we explain why ultrasound doesn’t replace a mammogram, when an ultrasound is recommended (like dense breast tissue, a specific lump, or younger patients), and what actually happens during each type of scan so you know exactly what to expect before your appointment.

Decoding an ultrasound report can feel like reading another language. Terms like “no free fluid,” “simple cyst,” “heterogeneous,” or “shadowing” sound technical, but each one is just a description of what the sonographer sees on the screen. In this blog, we break down the most common phrases line by line and explain what they actually mean for you—so instead of Googling in panic, you can read your report with confidence and clear expectations for your next step.