What is the difference between sonography and ultrasound tech

Often, the terms sonogram and ultrasound are used interchangeably. However, there’s a difference between the two:

• An ultrasound is a tool used to take a picture.
• A sonogram is the picture that the ultrasound generates.
• Sonography is the use of an ultrasound tool for diagnostic purposes.

In short, an ultrasound is the process, while a sonogram is the end result.

Sonography is a noninvasive, painless procedure. It uses high-frequency sound waves — called ultrasound waves —to produce images of organs, soft tissues, blood vessels, and blood flow, from inside the body. These images are used for medical analysis.

After x-ray exams, ultrasound is the most commonly used form of diagnostic imaging. It helps doctors gain insights into the inner workings of the body, and is known for being:

• safe
• radiation free
• noninvasive
• portable
• widely accessible
• affordable

A sonogram (also called an ultrasonogram) is the visual image produced during an ultrasound examination.

A medical sonographer — often referred to as an ultrasound tech — is the person trained to use ultrasound diagnostic imaging technology (sonography). They provide doctors with detailed images of what’s going on inside of patients.

Ultrasounds use high-frequency sound waves that are beamed into the body and bounce back (echo) off tissue and organs. These echoes generate electrical signals that are translated by a computer to produce images of the tissues and organs.

Variations of ultrasound include:

• Doppler ultrasound can be used to measure and visualize blood flow in the heart and blood vessels.
• Elastography is used to differentiate tumors from healthy tissue.
• Bone sonography is used to determine bone density.
• Therapeutic ultrasound is used to heat or break up tissue.
• High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been designed to destroy or modify abnormal tissue in the body without opening the skin.

Most ultrasounds are done using a transducer on the surface of the skin. At times, a better diagnostic image can be generated with the insertion of a special transducer into one of the body’s natural openings:

• Transvaginal ultrasound uses a transducer wand that is placed in a woman’s vagina to get images of her uterus and ovaries.
• Transrectal ultrasound, sometimes used in the diagnosis of prostate conditions, uses a transducer wand that is placed in the rectum.
• Transesophageal echocardiogram uses a transducer probe in the esophagus to get images of the heart

Probably best known for confirming and monitoring pregnancy, ultrasound is also commonly used by doctors for:

Diagnostics

Doctors use ultrasound imaging to help diagnose conditions affecting the organs and soft tissues of the body, including:

• abdomen
• liver
• kidneys
• heart
• blood vessels
• gallbladder
• spleen
• pancreas
• thyroid
• bladder
• breast
• ovaries
• testicles
• eyes

There are some diagnostic limitations for ultrasounds. For example, sound waves do not transmit well through areas that might hold gas or air (such as intestines), or areas blocked by dense bone.

Medical procedures

When a doctor needs to remove tissue from a very precise area in the body — such as in a needle biopsy — ultrasound imaging can help with visual direction.

Therapeutic application

Ultrasound is sometimes used in the detection and treatment of certain soft-tissue injuries.

Although often used interchangeably, ultrasound is the procedure of using sound waves to create images from inside the body. Sonogram is the image produced by an ultrasound examination.

Ultrasound is considered a safe and affordable imaging technology to help a doctor make a diagnosis regarding soft tissue and organs in the body.

Many young people who consider a healthcare career sometimes wonder whether there is a difference between diagnostic medical sonography and ultrasound technician work.

We are here to say that there is one main difference between ultrasound and sonography.

Actually, when we think of getting a sonogram, it usually has to do with pregnancy.

Ultrasound technology and sonography both include creating images of organs, blood vessels, and other aspects of human anatomy, and they are both used by physicians to make an accurate diagnosis.

If we take a look at the definition, these professions imply the same thing, but still, there is a slight difference.

Sonographers use ultrasound technology to create images and sonograms are created with technology that uses sound waves instead of radiation to capture these images.

Ultrasound is safe and easy to deliver, however, this is not at all an easy task to perform as a technician.

Both those working as medical sonographers or ultrasound technicians at a cardiac, OB/GYN, or another type of facility need to possess a firm knowledge of anatomy and physiology and pass appropriate training on using these devices to be able to perform this job successfully.

They can choose among various ultrasound and sonography programs that offer the certificate, Associate’s and Bachelor’s degree levels.

We took as an example the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at St. Luke’s Hospital.

It takes 18 months to complete, and graduates are qualified for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) exam.

During the studies, they will learn topics such as abdominal sonography, OB/GYN, breast, neurosonography, and more and after finishing this program, graduates will have experience in several types of clinical facilities.

When we compare it to the Diagnostic Ultrasound and Vascular Technology program at the University of Kansas, we have to notice some similarities and differences.

The program is also 18 months in length, and a graduate is qualified for the ARDMS registry.

Nevertheless, the curriculum of this program is a little more limited as it prepares students in the areas of the abdomen, OB/GYN, and vascular technology.

Both of these programs will give you the opportunity to pursue careers in the field of sonography.

Upon getting a degree, you may be wondering about the difference between sonography vs ultrasound tech salary.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, the average salary for diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technicians was $63,630 per year, and the field is expected to grow 24% in the next decade.

So the pay and growth for both professions are reported in the same set of data.

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