Ultrasound Assessment of the Female Reproductive Organs

Sonography Fundamentals

Materials Included

Text
Video
Anatomy
Simulation
Quiz

This module teaches you how to prepare for and perform an ultrasound examination of the female reproductive system. The interactive simulator provides three different scenarios to test your ability to perform this type of scan. Online simulations enable students and practitioners 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

to practice, perfect and test your skills in performing an ultrasound scan of the female reproductive system, including

transabdominal and endovaginal scanning
Doppler evaluation of the female pelvis, including uterus and ovaries

to better visualize and understand the anatomy and physiology of the female pelvis, with our 3D model and illustrations
how to identify on images the common abnormalities and pathologies of the uterus and adnexa
the sonographic evaluation and follow-up of the infertile patient
how to use ultrasound for interventional and post-operative purposes
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 transducer

Step 4 - Commence the female reproductive system scanning protocol

Step 4.1 - Patient position

Step 4.2 - Scan plane

Step 4.2.1 - Scan plane transabdominal

Step 4.2.2 - Scan plane endovaginal

Step 4.3 - Standard female pelvis image requirements

Step 4.3.1 - Transabdominal protocol

Step 4.3.2 - Endovaginal protocol

Step 4.4 - Annotations required

Step 4.5 - Troubleshooting

Step 5 - Scan the uterus with the transabdominal approach

Step 5.1 - Scan the uterus in the longitudinal plane

Step 5.2 - Scan the uterus in the transverse plane

Step 5.3 - Sonographic features of the normal uterus

Step 5.4 - Sonographic features of uterine variants

Step 6 - Scan the ovaries and adnexa with the transabdominal approach

Step 6.1 - Scan the ovaries and adnexae in the longitudinal and transverse planes

Step 6.2 - Sonographic features of the normal ovaries and adnexa

Step 6.3 - Sonographic features of variants of the ovaries and adnexa

Step 7 - Scan the uterus with the endovaginal approach

Step 7.1 - Scan the uterus in the longitudinal plane

Step 7.2 - Scan the uterus in the coronal plane

Step 8 - Scan the ovaries and adnexa with the endovaginal approach

Step 8.1 - Scan the ovaries and adnexae in the coronal and longitudinal planes

Step 9 - Procedures and examinations of the female reproductive organs

Step 9.1 - Infertility assessment

Step 9.2 - Sonohysterography assessment

Describe and demonstrate the protocol for sonographic scanning of the female pelvis, including transabdominal and endovaginal scanning.
Identify and explain the anatomy and physiology of the female pelvis on diagrams and sonograms.
Describe and demonstrate Doppler evaluation of the female pelvis, including uterus and ovaries.
Identify on images, common abnormalities and pathologies of the uterus and adnexa, including fallopian tubes, ovaries, and the appearance and locations of the various types of intrauterine contraceptive devices.
Describe the sonographic evaluation and follow-up of the infertile patient.
Describe the interventional and post-operative uses of ultrasound.
Differentiate the sonographic appearances of the female reproductive organs in relation to the menstrual cycle, the use of contraceptives and hormone replacement, and following chemotherapy.
Explain the Patient Privacy Rule (HIPAA) 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