Postgraduate - UnitSON4021 - Sonographic abdominal imaging

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2013 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

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Level	Postgraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational Unit	Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences
Offered	Clayton First semester 2013 (Off-campus) Clayton Second semester 2013 (Off-campus)
Coordinator(s)	Mr Paul Lombardo

Synopsis

Sonographic scanning methods and standard protocols related to examinations of adult liver, gallbladder, biliary system, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, urinary system, spleen, retroperitoneum, abdominal wall and related vascular structures. The scientific principles underpinning tissue harmonic imaging and use of contrast agents in abdominal sonography. Interpretational skills in respect to recognition of sonographic appearances of normal anatomy, anatomical variants, disease processes and ability to modify standard sonographic approaches with regards to the clinical question and patient presentation.

Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:

describe and justify the selection of protocols, imaging parameters, equipment and transducers for sonographic examinations of the organs and structures comprising the digestive and urinary systems;
perform routine sonographic examinations of the abdomen safely and to a standard and ethical conduct expected of a competent sonographer:
recognise and describe normal and abnormal sonographic appearances of the organs and structures comprising the digestive and urinary systems and related artefacts;
appreciate the need to adapt and modify standard imaging protocols when dictated by the clinical condition of the patient together with the limitations of this imaging method;
use Spectral, Colour and Power Doppler techniques where appropriate;
demonstrate an understanding of the application of contrast agents and tissue harmonic imaging in abdominal sonography, describe and apply quality assurance principles to sonographic abdominal imaging.

Assessment

Compulsory attainment of a requisite number of ultrasound examinations (hurdle
requirement)
Two x 1500 word assignments (30%)
Written examination (2 hours) (40%)
Image recognition examination (1 hour) (20%)
Clinical skills assessment (10%)

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Paul Lombardo

Prerequisites

SON4000, SON4010

Co-requisites

3 days a week performing relevant clinical ultrasound examinations or equivalent