Ultrasound Assessment of the Lower Limb Veins

Sonography Fundamentals

Materials Included

Text
Video
Anatomy
Simulation
Quiz

This module teaches you how to prepare for and perform an ultrasound examination of the lower limb veins.

This module teaches you how to prepare for and perform an ultrasound examination of the lower limb veins. The interactive simulator provides three different scenarios to test your ability to perform this type of scan. Online simulations enable you to build or refresh knowledge and cognitive skills, and offer a safe practice environment so you can prepare for the real clinical world. You can also use simulations to try out procedures that you might not otherwise experience. This module is ideal if you are studying for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) registry exams.

You’ll learn

about venous anatomy and hemodynamics
to practice, perfect and test your skills in performing an ultrasound scan of the lower extremity venous vessels to include 2D anatomy, color flow, and Doppler analysis
how to evaluate flow, vessel patency, and valve competence
how to prepare and position your patient for this type of ultrasound scan
to better visualize and identify the key structures and components of the venous system of the lower limb, with our 3D anatomy model and illustrations
how to identify on images the pathology of venous thrombosis and venous incompetence
much more (see “Content Details” for more specific information).

Introduction

Step 1 - Preparation

Step 1.1 - Equipment preparation

Step 1.2 - Patient preparation

Step 1.3 - Operator preparation

Step 2 - Expose the limb and apply gel

Step 3 - Select the transducer and obtain images of the lower limb veins

Step 4 - Commence the lower limb venous scanning protocol

Step 4.1 - Patient position

Step 4.2 - Scan plane

Step 4.3 - Images required

Step 4.4 - Annotation

Step 4.5 - Sonographic features of normal lower limb veins

Step 4.6 - Variants

Step 4.7 - Troubleshooting

Step 5 - Scan and identify the common femoral vein, femoral vein, and popliteal vein

Step 6 - Compress with probe frequently to determine compressibility

Step 7 - Evaluate for thrombus

Step 7.1 - Pathology of venous thrombosis

Step 8 - Valve competence with Valsalva, augmentation, and photoplethysmography (PPG)

Step 8.1 - Pathology of venous incompetence

Step 9 - Continue evaluation of posterior tibial and peroneal veins

Discuss venous anatomy and hemodynamics
Perform an ultrasound scan of the lower extremity venous vessels to include 2D anatomy, color flow, and Doppler analysis (valve competency and vessel patency)
- Scan and identify
  - Common femoral vein (CFV)
  - Saphenofemoral junction (SFJ)
  - Superficial femoral vein (SFV)
  - Saphenous vein, popliteal vein
- Compress with probe frequently to determine compressibility
- Evaluate for thrombus
- Evaluate for flow with distal augmentation
- Evaluate valve competence with proximal compression
- Continue the evaluation for posterior tibial and peroneal veins
Explain Patient's Bill of Rights, HIPAA Privacy Rule, and Patient Safety Act

The SIMTICS modules are all easy to use and web-based. This means they are available at any time as long as the learner has an internet connection. No special hardware or other equipment is required, other than a computer mouse for use in the simulations. Each of the SIMTICS modules covers one specific procedure or topic in detail. Each module contains:

an online simulation (available in Learn and Test modes)
descriptive text, which explains exactly how to perform that particular procedure including key terms and hyperlinks to references
2D images and a 3D model of applied anatomy for that particular topic
a step by step video demonstration by an expert
a quiz
a personal logbook that keeps track of all the modules the learner has studied and how long