What is a "Wet Reading?"
QUESTION
Dear Ms Ultrasound,
I was just wondering what a "wet read" is during a prenatal ultrasound? I am going to be having another ultrasound in 2 weeks to check size and date, as my son is measuring almost 4 weeks large and no possible miscalculation of dates, but they have also requested a wet read and I can find no information on it. Any help would be appreciated.
Jennifer
ANSWER
Hi Jennifer.
A "Wet Reading" means, at the time of the exam, your physician has requested the results be called to him/her immediately.
This terminology came from the early days of x-rays. They would take an x-ray, develop the film in a big tank of processing chemicals and water. The film would then be hung to dry. As the film was drying, if it was emergent, the Radiologist would read the x-rays 'wet' hence the term Wet Reading.
-- Jane, RDMS
Jane Foley
Jane Foley has worked as a Sonographer (Ultrasound Technologist) since 1979. Jane has lived and worked in many parts of the world including Saudi Arabia. She is a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer or RDMS. She pulls a wealth of information from her experience in the field of Radiology and her interactions with such a broad cross-section of cultures she has visited. She now makes her home on the island of Maui with her English husband, Michael.
