ULTRASONOGRAPHY (Click here to Register for the course)

• orientation of the image for standard display formats (head/foot and right/left orientation) and image annotation;
• image background (light echoes on a dark background versus dark echoes on a light background).
• scanning planes (sagittal, parasagittal, axial, coronal, and oblique) and image annotation for the scanning planes.
• proper adjustment of equipment controls (system gain, time gain compensation (TGC), depth of field of view, and focal zone placement);
• protocols for routine examinations, including standard transducers, the area to be imaged, and any required measurements and documentation;
• frequency, resolution and their relationship;
• the recognition and identification of common artefacts and strategies to reduce or eliminate them, as well as recognition of artefacts that can enhance diagnostic accuracy;
• permanent image documentation.

• basic anatomy as visualised with ultrasound, with an emphasis on the anatomy of abdominal, pelvic, and fetal structures, soft tissue anatomy and major vascular structures;
• sectional anatomy, including the relationships of major structures in the sagittal, axial and coronal planes;
• normal anatomical size and position;
• common anatomical variations;
• normal fetal anatomy.

The general indications for and limitations of ultrasonography should be taught.

The basic diagnostic criteria for the interpretation of scans should be covered, including tissue characteristics, normal and abnormal organ tissue patterns, and the differentiation of cystic and solid masses.

Standard methods for the reporting and documentation of results should be covered.

• Normal physiological changes in the uterus and ovaries.

• Diseases of the urinary bladder, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and related blood vessels, muscles and ligaments.
• Cystic, solid and complex masses as well as inflammatory conditions, endometriosis, and related gynaecological complications.

Note Endovaginal techniques should not be included in this course

• embryonic and early fetal anatomy;
• yolk sac;
• amniotic and chorionic cavities;
• biometry including crown-rump length, amniotic sac diameter, and yolk sac size;
• multiple pregnancy;
• cardiac activity and confirmation of viability.

• ectopic pregancy;
• complete and incomplete abortion;
• vaginal bleeding;
• fetal death;
• hydatidiform mole;
• major recognisable fetal malformations and developmental amnormalities (e.g. anencephaly)
• pelvic mass.

• development of fetal anatomy;
• placenta (location and size) and umbilical cord (including two vessel cord and location of cord insertion);
• biometry of the cranium, abdomen and femur;
• assessment of fetal age;
• amniotic fluid volume (normal volume and causes and criteria for diagnosis of oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios);
• intrauterine growth retardations;
• gross fetal abnormalities, including anencephaly, hydrocephalus, neural tube defects, abdominal wall defects, renal anomalies and limb shortening.

• Scrotal contents
• Breast (both the muscles and the subcutaneous tissues for masses, abscesses, and abnormal fluid collections).

• size and shape;
• parenchyma;
• intra-hepatic vessels;
• focal lesions, including cysts, abscesses, tumours, trauma and parasites;
• perihepatic fluid collections;
• normal and abnormal echogenicity (including both focal and diffuse disease).

• gallbladder size, wall and contents, including calculi and Ascaris;
• biliary tract dilatation and evaluation of the jaundiced patient;
• normal bile duct measurements and physiological variations

• normal and abnormal echogenicity;
• diffuse pancreatic disease;
• focal lesions, including cysts, abscesses, tumours and calcifications.

• size and shape;
• focal lesions;
• trauma.

• size, shape and location;
• diffuse parenchymal disease;
• focal lesions, including cysts, tumours and calculi;
• obstructive uropathy and perirenal fluid collections.

• obstruction;
• parasites;
• tumours;
• infections;
• diverticula;
• calculi

• intra-peritoneal fluid collections;
• bowel masses;
• obstruction
• pyloric stenosis.

• masses;
• adenopathy
• fluid collections

• normal measurements;
• aortic aneurysm;
• inferior vena cava thrombus.

• diaphragm;
• sub-diaphragmatic and sup-radiaphragmatic fluid collections.
• pleural effusions, masses and thickening.

This module is designed to cover the exclusion of gross basic pathology only.

• Sub-costal view to assess pericardium/effusions;
• parasternal long axis to visualise AV, MV, LA, LV – assess for gross enlargement, wall motion and valve disease;
• parasternal short axis – correlate the above, image the RV and RVOT;
• apical 4 chamber view – assess: chamber sizes, pathological valves, LV global wall motion, effusions.