General Sonography

Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS)

Use of ultrasound to produce images for medical diagnosis

Sonographer

Allied health professional trained to perform ultrasound exams

ARDMS

American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (certifying body)

Ultrasound safety

Does not use radiation and is considered safe for patients

Main specialties in sonography

Abdominal, OB/GYN, vascular, pediatric, musculoskeletal

Intellectual curiosity

Staying updated on ultrasound advancements

2D to 3D conceptualization

Ability to visualize anatomy in 3D

Physical demands of sonography

Lifting patients, standing long periods, pushing equipment

Sonographer’s role

Perform scans and provide images for physicians to interpret

Who interprets ultrasound images

Radiologists or cardiologists

Why sonographers are critical

If they don’t capture it, doctors can’t diagnose it

Advantages of sonography career

Good pay, flexible schedule, variety

Disadvantages of sonography career

Physically demanding, stressful, emotional cases

AIUM

American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine

SDMS

Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography

SVU

Society for Vascular Ultrasound

RDMS

Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

RVT

Registered Vascular Technologist

Ultrasound definition

Sound waves >20,000 Hz

Diagnostic ultrasound frequency range

1–20 MHz

How ultrasound works

Sound waves reflect off tissues to create images

Low frequency ultrasound (2–5 MHz)

Used for deeper structures

High frequency ultrasound (10–15 MHz)

Used for superficial structures

Why ultrasound cannot image lungs well

Air scatters sound

Why ultrasound cannot image bone well

Bone absorbs sound

Differential diagnosis

List of possible causes of symptoms

Exam indication

Reason a doctor orders an ultrasound

Abdominal ultrasound organs

Liver, gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas, spleen

Common reasons for abdominal ultrasound

Pain, fever, vomiting, abnormal labs

Renal ultrasound purpose

Evaluate kidneys, bladder, ureters

Pelvic ultrasound organs

Uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes

Transabdominal ultrasound (TA)

External, low frequency, overview

Transvaginal ultrasound (TV)

Internal, high frequency, detailed view

When TV ultrasound is not used

Patients under 16 or not sexually active

Pregnancy detection (TA)

~8 weeks

Pregnancy detection (TV)

~5 weeks

1st trimester ultrasound purpose

Dating, viability, early abnormalities

2nd/3rd trimester ultrasound purpose

Anatomy, growth, placenta

Thyroid ultrasound use

Evaluate nodules, enlargement, hormone issues

Scrotal ultrasound use

Evaluate pain, swelling, infertility, masses

Breast ultrasound use

Evaluate lumps or abnormal mammograms

Ultrasound-guided procedures

Helps guide needle placement

Paracentesis

Removal of fluid from abdomen (ascites)

Thoracentesis

Removal of fluid from pleural cavity

Biopsy

Tissue sampling using imaging guidance

Doppler ultrasound

Measures blood flow direction and speed

Carotid ultrasound purpose

Detect plaque in arteries

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Blood clot in a vein

Venous Doppler purpose

Detect clots or blockages

Arterial duplex imaging

Evaluates arterial blood flow

Aorta ultrasound purpose

Detect aneurysm

Aortic aneurysm

Dangerous enlargement of the aorta