introduction to ultrasound

Question 1

diagnostic uses of ultrasound

Answer 1

• used for examining soft tissue
• evaluating musculoskeletal injuries to fascia, muscle, tendons , joints, bones, ligaments, etc.
• evaluates heart, kidneys, vasculature

Question 2

treatment uses of ultrasound

Answer 2

• different frequencies can be useful in treating some conditions
• physical therapy , kidney stone removal

Question 3

research uses of ultrasound

Answer 3

• tool that can be used in many different applications to understand physiology

Question 4

physics of ultrasound

Answer 4

• comprised of sound beams emitted from a transducer
• waves are absorbed , reflected, or scattered by varying structures and this allows for distinction of tissues in the body

Question 5

advantages of an ultrasound

Answer 5

• non-invasive
• relatively quick analysis and assessment
• use at patients bedside
• measurements in real time
• cheap compared to MRI

Question 6

disadvantages of an ultrasound

Answer 6

• requires a trained sonographer
• expensive compared to other techniques
• image resolution not as good as MRI
• quality dependent on “windows”

Question 7

ultrasound windows

Answer 7

• space to see different structures
• deeper tissues are harder to image

Question 8

training for ultrasound

Answer 8

• diagnostic medical sonographer
• 3 year course
• with specializations and continued developed

Question 9

indirect methods of cardiac ultrasound

Answer 9

• ECG
• x-ray
• bioimpedance
• MRI (does not pick up blood flow)
• ultrasound
• angiography (invasive)

Question 10

direct methods of cardiac ultrasound

Answer 10

• autopsy

Question 11

preparation for ultrasound

Answer 11

• gown/cover for women
• lateral left decubitus position
• placement of 3-lead EGC
• keep them relaxed

Question 12

vascular ultrasound

Answer 12

• location depends of your outcome / diagnosis

Question 13

flow mediated dilation

Answer 13

• research tool used to measure the endothelium-dependent relaxation of an artery in response to sheer stress
• plays a pivotal role in CVD
• FMD response is a significant predictor of future CVD events

Question 14

diagnostic ultrasound

Answer 14

• cardiac ultrasound also known as echocardiography
• branches across sports medicine and medical practice as health research

Question 15

echocardiography uses

Answer 15

• to see structure and function of the heart
• moving image throughout cardiac cycle
• valves opening and closing
• chamber dimensions
• sees blood flow

Question 16

PLAX (parasternal long axis)

Answer 16

• looks at the cardiac structure
• uses calipers to measure wall thickness and chamber diameter
• estimates left ventricular mass
• views the heart upside down and back to front

Question 17

cardiac function

Answer 17

• amount of blood pumped by the heart each minute
• product of HR and SV
• normal adult values are 4-8L/min

Question 18

diastole

Answer 18

• ventricular relaxation
• early diastole = passive filling/relax
• late diastole = atrial contraction

Question 19

systole

Answer 19

• ventricular contraction
• ejection of blood from the heart