Ultrasound Assessment of the Spleen

Sonography Fundamentals

Materials Included

Text
Video
Anatomy
Simulation
Quiz

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

This module teaches you how to prepare for and perform an ultrasound examination of the spleen. The interactive simulator provides three different scan scenarios, including normal and pathological cases, and helps you learn the spleen scan protocol. It enables students and practitioners to build or refresh knowledge and cognitive skills, and offers a safe online practice environment so you can prepare for the real clinical world. Ideal if you are studying for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) registry exams.

You’ll learn

to practice, perfect and test your skills in performing an ultrasound scan of the spleen and vascular structures
to practice, perfect and test your skills in performing an ultrasound scan of the spleen and vascular structures
to better visualize and understand the spleen and vascular structures with our 3D anatomy model
to identify the clinical symptoms of splenic disease
how to differentiate normal and abnormal sonographic appearances of the spleen
how to obtain images of vascular flow of the splenic artery and vein
how to explain and demonstrate the use of breathing techniques to obtain optimal images of the spleen
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 abdomen and apply gel

Step 3 - Select the transducer and obtain images of the spleen

Step 4 - Commence the spleen scanning protocol

Step 4.1 - Patient position

Step 4.2 - Scan plane

Step 4.3 - Standard spleen protocol image requirements

Step 4.4 - Annotations required

Step 4.5 - Sonographic features of the normal spleen

Step 4.6 - Sonographic features of spleen variants

Step 4.6.1 - Accessory spleen or splenunculus

Step 4.6.2 - Ectopic or wandering spleen

Step 4.6.3 - Agenesis of the spleen

Step 4.7 - Troubleshooting

Step 5 - Scan the spleen in the longitudinal and transverse planes

Step 5.1 - Scan the spleen in the longitudinal plane

Step 5.2 - Assess the direction of flow in splenic vessels with color Doppler

Step 5.3 - Scan the spleen in the transverse plane

Step 6 - Complete the procedure

Indications for ultrasound of the spleen
Identify spleen anatomy
Explain splenic physiology and laboratory findings
List clinical symptoms of splenic disease
Spleen protocol
- Patient preparation
- Transducer and preset selection
- Patient positioning
- Transducer positions
- Scan planes
- Identify and obtain sonographic images of the spleen and vascular structures
- Obtain measurements of the spleen
Explain and demonstrate the use of breathing techniques to obtain optimal sonographic images of the spleen
Differentiate normal and abnormal sonographic appearances of the spleen
Differentiate and describe common pathologies of the spleen on sonographic images
Identify and obtain images of vascular flow of the splenic artery and vein
Identify and discuss the physiology of congestion of the spleen
Compare and contrast focal and diffuse disease of the spleen
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