Ultrasound

As of Monday, January 23, 2023, Michael Garron Hospital Ultrasound has moved to M1 in the new Ken and Marilyn Thomson Patient Care Centre. The Thomson Centre is located on MGH’s campus at the corner of Coxwell and Sammon Avenues.

Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to display, in real time, soft tissue structures in the human body. It is a safe and useful tool to examine structures such as liver, kidneys, gall bladder, breasts and pelvic organs. Since ultrasound does not emit radiation, it is the preferred test for imaging pregnant women and her fetus.

Appointments and Referrals

We now accept eReferrals from Primary Care!  Find us on the OCEAN Health Map.

Ocean eReferral Sign up

If you are a primary care provider and want to sign up for OCEAN eReferral, complete the online quick form or email @email.

We are here to support you. You may reach us at 416-469-6401 (the main DI line) from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you require assistance outside of regular business hours, you may choose one of the following options:

• Leave a voice mail message at 416-469-6401
• Send us an email at @email

What to expect

Ultrasound is painless and takes 30-45 minutes to perform, depending on what your physician has requested.

Please review the following instructions for your ultrasound.

1. Abdominal Ultrasound:

For adults: Do not eat or drink for 5 hours before your exam. You may take medications with sips of water. This is needed to assess your abdominal organs better.
For pediatric patients:
Age 0-2 years: Do not eat or drink for 2 hours before the exam. 
Age 2-4 years: Do not eat or drink for 3 hours before the exam.
Age 4-16 years: Do not eat or drink for 4 hours before the exam. 

You may take medications with sips of water. This is so that we can assess your abdominal organs better.

Diabetic patients: We will try our best to accommodate you with an early morning appointment. Please inform the booking clerk at time of booking. If you take oral medications for your diabetes, do not take your diabetes medication until after your ultrasound exam when you have eaten on the morning of your appointment. Other prescribed oral medications can be taken with sips of water. If you take insulin for your diabetes, please consult your endocrinologist or primary care physician for insulin adjustment advice. If need be, you may have a cup of juice or a piece of dry toast. Do not have milk or other dairy products and no fats (this is needed to better visualize your gallbladder and biliary tract).

2. Obstetrical Ultrasound:
   Your bladder should be moderately full. For a first trimester obstetrical ultrasound, drink 2 to 3 glasses of water 1 to 2 hours before your exam. Do not empty your bladder for 2 hours before the exam. For second and third trimester obstetrical ultrasounds, there is no preparation required.

3. Pelvis Ultrasound and /or Transvaginal Ultrasound
   Your bladder should be moderately full. Drink 2-3 glasses of water, 1-2 hours before your exam. Do not empty your bladder for 2  hours before your exam. 
4. Pelvis Ultrasound with Post Void
   Drink 2-3 cups of water 1-2 hours before your exam. Do not empty your bladder for 2 hours before your exam. 
5. Combined Abdomen and Pelvis Ultrasound
   Follow fasting instructions as indicated above for an abdominal ultrasound. Drink 2-3 glasses of water 1-2 hours before your exam. Do not empty your bladder for 2 hours before your exam. 
6. Kidney Ultrasound or Kidney and Bladder Ultrasound
   Drink normally. Do not empty your bladder for 2 hours before your exam.
7. Ultrasound-Guided Biopsies and Procedures
   Your specialist physician will provide you with instructions for your specific procedure. If you have not received the instructions  from your specialist physician, please call us at 416-469-6580, extension 2040.

8. All other ultrasound tests
   There are no specific preparation instructions for all other ultrasound tests.