Ultrasound Assessment of the Retroperitoneum, Peritoneal Cavity and Abdominal Wall

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. 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 retroperitoneum, peritoneal cavity and abdominal wall
to better visualize and understand the anatomy of the retroperitoneum, peritoneal cavity and abdominal wall
how to obtain images of the retroperitoneum, peritoneal cavity and abdominal wall
to identify the clinical symptoms of retroperitoneal, peritoneal, and abdominal wall disease
how to identify abnormalities of the peritoneal cavity and abdominal wall
to distinguish potential spaces for fluid collections in the abdominal and pelvic retroperitoneum
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 abdomen

Step 4 - Commence retroperitoneum and peritoneal cavity scanning protocol

Step 4.1 - Patient position

Step 4.2 - Scan plane

Step 4.3 - Retroperitoneum and peritoneal cavity image requirements

Step 4.4 - Annotations required

Step 4.5 - Sonographic features of a normal retroperitoneum

Step 4.6 - Sonographic features of a normal peritoneal cavity

Step 4.7 - Troubleshooting

Step 5 - Scan the retroperitoneum and peritoneal cavity

Step 5.1 - Scan the subphrenic space

Step 5.2 - Scan the perirenal space (also called the perinephric space) and pararenal spaces

Step 5.3 - Scan the lesser sac

Step 5.4 - Scan the right and left lower quadrants

Step 5.5 - Scan the pelvic cul-de-sac (Pouch of Douglas)

Step 6 - Commence the abdominal wall scanning protocol

Step 6.1 - Patient position

Step 6.2 - Scan Plane

Step 6.3 - Abdominal wall image requirements

Step 6.4 - Annotations required

Step 6.5 - Sonographic features of the normal abdominal wall

Step 6.6 - Troubleshooting

Step 7 - Scan the abdominal wall

Step 7.1 - Scan the anterior abdominal wall in the transverse plane

Step 7.2 - Scan the anterior abdominal wall in the longitudinal plane

Step 7.3 - Scan the inguinal canal/groin

Step 8 - Complete the procedure

Indications for ultrasound of the retroperitoneum, peritoneal cavity, and abdominal wall
Identify the anatomy of the retroperitoneum, peritoneal cavity, and abdominal wall
Explain the basic physiology of the retroperitoneum, peritoneal cavity, and abdominal wall
Distinguish potential spaces for fluid collections in the abdominal and pelvic retroperitoneum
List clinical symptoms of retroperitoneal, peritoneal, and abdominal wall disease
Retroperitoneum, peritoneal cavity, and abdominal wall protocol
- Patient preparation
- Transducer and preset selection
- Patient positioning
- Transducer positions
- Scan planes
- Identify and obtain sonographic images of the retroperitonium, peritoneal cavity, and abdominal wall
Explain and demonstrate the use of breathing techniques to obtain optimal sonographic images of the retroperitoneum, peritoneal cavity, and abdominal wall
Identify and obtain images of the retroperitoneum, peritoneal cavity, and abdominal wall
Describe and identify pathologies of the retroperitoneum
Describe and identify abnormalities of the peritoneal cavity and abdominal wall
Explain sonography occupational health and safety issues
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