This course is an introduction to the basic anatomy of the abdomen in conjunction with the corresponding sonographic images and imaging planes. Topics include abdominal vasculature, liver, gallbladder and biliary tree, pancreas, spleen, and urinary tract. Various diseases at different stages of progression of the abdominal organs are presented along with their sonographic presentation. Proper abdominal scanning protocols of the abdomen are also covered.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to

·         Identify anatomy, relational anatomy, anatomic variants, and sonographic appearances of normal abdominal anatomical structures.

o   Adrenal glands

o   Aorta and branches

o   Biliary system

o   Great vessels and branches

o   Liver

o   Pancreas

o   Peritoneal and retroperitoneal cavities

o   Spleen

o   Urinary tract

·         Define, describe, and explain physiology and pathophysiology in the normal and abnormal structures listed above.

·         Discuss sonographic techniques, measurements, sonographic appearances, and basic Doppler patterns, where applicable, in both normal and abnormal structures listed above.

·         Evaluate scanning protocol and make modifications based on the sonographic findings and the differential diagnoses.

o   Indications and contraindication

o   History and physical examination

o   Related imaging, laboratory, and functional testing procedures

o   Clinical differential diagnosis

Course Description

This course builds upon the foundational knowledge acquired during CVS-100 Introduction to Cardiovascular Imaging. You will delve into more complex aspects of echocardiography including M-Mode, Color Doppler and spectral Dopplers and their normal and abnormal findings. You will learn the cardiovascular pathophysiology, and hemodynamics, and sonographic techniques to assess valvular heart diseases

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

·         Identify anatomy, anatomic variants and the sonographic appearance of the coronary arteries and their distribution.

• Describe the use of M-mode color Doppler and spectral Doppler in echocardiography.
• Explain normal cardiovascular physiology and hemodynamics of ventricular systolic and diastolic function, including normal filling pressure and cardiac output.
• Explain and demonstrate two-dimensional, M-Modes and Doppler measurements and calculations in the normal adult cardiac sonographic examination.
• Discuss the types of valvular heart diseases affecting the mitral, aortic, pulmonic, and tricuspid valves, including the clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, complications, related imaging examinations and treatments for each.
• Explain the sonographic techniques, measurements, quantitative principles, and Doppler patterns for:
• Mitral stenosis and regurgitation
• Aortic stenosis and regurgitation
• Tricuspid stenosis and regurgitation
• Pulmonic stenosis and regurgitation

·         Explain the sonographic techniques, measurements, quantitative principles, and Doppler patterns for diseases of the aorta and great vessels

• Discuss ventricular and diastolic dysfunction and ischemic heart disease, including the clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, complications, related imaging examinations and treatments for each.

·         Explain the sonographic techniques, measurement quantitative principles and Doppler patterns for ventricular and diastolic dysfunction and ischemic heart disease.

Required Texts

DeWitt, Susan King, Echocardiography ... From a Sonographer’s Perspective the Notebook & the Workbook 8 http://www.echonotebook.com/home.html to be purchased directly from publisher

Hagen-Ansert, S.: Textbook of Diagnostic Sonography, 9^th Edition. Publisher: Elsevier, 2023,

This is a 2 Volume set ISBN-978-0-323-82646-4 (available electronically in the library)