Ultrasound is an interactive and extremely useful diagnostic imaging modality in clinical practice.

It is highly operator dependent, so some experience and knowledge is the key to driving the ultrasound probe with more confidence and being able to interpret the findings.  This course is designed to give you the essential knowledge on how to optimise image quality, how to find abdominal structures such as the pancreas and adrenal gland, and how to approach some common challenges faced in clinical practice such as free abdominal fluid, nodular disease and ileus. A case based approach will be used to explore the common diseases associated with these problems and how to diagnose them. Veterinary nurses with a special interest in the topic are welcome to enrol in this course. Please be aware that the course is designed for qualified veterinarians and you should consider this in light of your knowledge and experience before you register.

“Jennifer was very encouraging and provided a good open forum for questions and comments” Caryn Wun, Vet HQ, Double Bay.

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Learning Outcomes By successfully completing this course, you will:

1. Better understand the essential operator settings that help to optimise image quality (How to improve a blurry or dark image? What is the cause of artefacts and when can they be useful?)
2. Develop an approach to scanning abdominal structures
3. Develop a problem orientated approach to scanning the abdomen and solve common problems faced in clinical practice (e.g. Free fluid? Mass?
4. Be able to recognise the common diseases associated with these problems and learn how to diagnose them

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Modules

1. Optimising image quality in ultrasound
2. Approach to scanning the abdomen
3. Ultrasonographic features of normal organs
4. Common problems and approach to diagnosis