Ultrasound Flashcards
the most commonly used transducers for the abdomen
curvilinear, linear, and phased array
WES sign
Wall Echo Shadow,
the wall of the gall bladder is bright, followed by a bright echo and a shadow.
curvilinear transducer
large footprint, wide field of view, low freqs, imaging depths from 4-32 cm, ideal for general abdominal imaging
linear array transducer
more limited role; narrow field of view, high freq, low depth, not great on adults but ideal for children and for guiding invasive procedures
phased array transducers
especially useful for getting in between the ribs– small footprint but good scan depth
coupling gel
absolutely essential for abdominal imaging. gel pads have limited utility
where does u/s of abdomen often begin?
RUQ
one of the great uses of u/s in the abdomen is…
identify abnormal free fluid in the abdomen
FAST assessment/ exam
Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma
FAST includes:
Perihepatic & hepato-renal space
paracolic gutter
right hemidiaphragm
which transducer is best for gall bladder?
curvilinear
changes of IVC diameter
decreases with inspiration, increases with expiration
key findings in acute cholecystitis include:
gall stones, thickened gall bladder wall > 3 mm, presence of pericholecystic fluid, and a positive sonographic Murphy’s sign
In a contracted gall bladder, the W-E-S sign indicates
cholelithiasis
the pancreas can be located using what landmarks?
portal and splenic veins, SMA
what are indicators of appendicitis on ultrasound?
dilated appendix with surrounding fat and fluid
