What are the two types of transducers used to scan the abdominal?
- Curved-linear transducers
- Phased array transducers
What are the 3 different types of patient position?
- Supine
- Lateral decubitius
- Prone
What are the 4 different types of scan planes?
- Longitudinal
- Transverse
- Oblique
- Coronal
How long should a patient fast?
8-12 hours prior to an exam.
Why isn’t gum and smoking allowed within those 8-12 hours prior to an abdominal exam?
It may increase bowel gas.
Where does the aorta run from?
The abdominal aorta runs from the level of the diaphragm to the umbilicus, where it typically bofurcates into the common iliac arteries.
On what side of the patient does the IVC lay?
It lays on the patients right side.
What is there average diameter of the aorta?
Average maximum diameter is 2 cm
How does the aorta’s diameter vary?
The aorta gradually tapers distally.
Where does the IVC begin?
It begins at the junction of the common iliac veins
What is the typical mean diameter of the IVC in hydrated patients?
1.7-2.0 cm
Where do most IVC variants occur?
infra-renal
What are the two different IVC variants found below the renal veins?
- Left-sided IVC
- Duplicated
Where should you start an abdominal exam?
Start in long axis just below the xyphoid process.
Where does the SMA run in respect to the aorta?
Runs anterior and parallel to the aorta.
Where is the celiac origin?
It is just proximal to the take off of the SMA
What is the first branch of the aorta?
Celiac
What is the second branch of the aorta?
SMA
What is the Doppler characteristic of the aorta?
High resistance
What is the Doppler characteristic of the celiac?
Low resistance
What is the Doppler characteristic of the SMA?
High resistance IF fasting.
What is the Doppler characteristic of the renal?
Low resistance
What is the Doppler characteristic of the IMA?
High resistance IF fasting.
What is the Doppler characteristic of the IVC?
Proximal→Pulsatile
Distal→ Phasic with respiration.
What 5 abdominal imaging limitations?
- Bowel gas
- Body habitus
- Respiratory movement
- SUrgical incisions
- Pregnany
What are the normal velocities in the aorta?
65 cm/sec
Where will the Doppler signal be multiphasic in the aorta?
- Suprarenal
- Infrarenal
What are some diseases of the aorta?
- Atherosclerotic
- Arteritis
- Takayasu
- Coarctation.
What is coarctation?
It is a congenital narrowing of the thoracic arch.
How is the BP in the coarctation?
- High BP above narrowing
- Low BP/abnormal doppler signals below constriction
What does Takayasu arteritis do?
It is an inflammatory process of the aortic arch and its branches.
Which layers does the takayasu’s arteritis effect?
It effects all three layers.
What can takayasu’s artheritis cause?
It may cause partial or complete arterial obstruction and may cause aneurysm formation.
What are the risk factors for Takayasu?
- Women
- Asian descent
- <40 years old.
