How to perform an ultrasound exam Flashcards
Describe the safety requirements when performing an ultrasound exam
Appropriate PPE
Appropriate restraint:
- may examine in standing position
- Small animals may lie recumbent
- need for analgesia, sedation, anaesthesia?
What steps should be taken to ensure the ultrasound can penetrate into the tissue?
Clip hair
Remove dirt and skin oil using alcohol
Apply ultrasound gel
Ensure contact between transducer and skin
Describe the features of a linear transducer
Linear transducers fire multiple lines of sound that are parallel to each other so a rectangular ‘beam’ is created
This requires full contact along the surface of the transducer to get a full cross sectional image
Describe the features of curved transducers
Curved transducers fire multiple lines of sound that diverge from each other so that a triangular ‘beam’ is created
This requires only a small contact area and as the beam diverges a large cross section is achieved within the body; this is good for example for looking between ribs
What is a gel standoff and what is its purpose?
If very superficial structures are to be examined, near field noise can overlie those structures
Gel standoffs move superficial structures further away from the transducer
Placed between transducer and skin and allows sound to be transmitted
commonly used when imaging equine tendons
What does frequency of ultrasound govern?
longitudinal resolution and depth of penetration
What frequency should be used to ultrasound the eye?
10 MHz (high resolution but poor depth of penetration)
What are the terms used to describe transducer orientation?
Longitudinal (median or sagittal)
Transverse
Dorsal/frontal
How can you identify the leading edge on an ultrasound?
The screen indicator correlates to the notch on the ultrasound transducer
In what direction should the transducer notch be pointing?
Conventionally we directed the leading edge cranially (in longitudinal or dorsal imaging) or to the right (in transverse imaging)
