The abdominal aorta appears anechoic on the sonogram image due to the blood running through it. The aorta is pulsatile on the sonogram and when positioning the transducer in the longitudinal plane, the length of the aorta is seen and when positioning the transducer in the transverse plane, the cross-section image of the aorta is seen. In both the longitudinal and transverse planes, the branches of the abdominal aorta can be seen and they also appear anechoic. Sonographers typically only routinely measure the abdominal aorta in the transverse plane and it should measure approximately 2.5 cm in diameter. B2.66. When performing an ultrasound on the aorta, patients are typically supine. Occasionally, it is necessary to roll the patient in the right lateral decubitus position in order to eliminate bowel gas from obscuring the visualization of the aorta. A 5-7 MHz transducer typically provides an optimal amount of penetration through abdominal tissue. When imaging the aorta, it is pertinent to adjust controls on the machine to provide and obtain the most accurate images possible. Adjusting such knobs as the 2D gain and time gain compensation will allow the best visualization of the aorta by showing the presence or absence of a clear aortic lumen. B2.61. …show more content…
There are different severity levels of an AAA due to the fact that they can range in size from 3 to 20 cm and the bigger they get, the higher the risk of rupture. B2.66. Aneurysms can appear as either saccular or fusiform in shape. A saccular AAA will be sac-like and the fusiform AAA will be more uniform in its shape of dilation. Differential diagnosis for this disease is a thrombus because both present with abnormal flow patterns. Since an AAA will typically have a slow progression and growth rate, unusual features for an AAA are ones that grow progressively fast in a short time period such as months.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement or TAVR is the latest technology used principally for the treatment of aortic stenosis, a condition in which one of the major valves of the heart, the aortic valve, becomes tight and stiff, usually as a result of aging (3). Since many patients who need aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis are too sick to undergo major valve replacement surgery, they are unable to get the treatment they need. With the transcatheter aortic valve, this issue is bypassed because this valve can be implanted in the heart by accessing the patient’s heart through an artery in the groin. The valve can be inserted through a wire that can be pushed to the heart, and the old valve is simply pushed to the side when the new valve is implanted. This technology has been in use in the US with Edwards’ Sapiens valve since 2011 and has saved the lives of many patients with aortic stenosis (4).
According to Diaz (2008), the results from the study showed that the images from the new 3D technology were far clearer and more defined when compared to the US-A traditional device. In muscle contusions and lesions of the tendons, the definitions of hemorrhaged areas increased dramatically. The images from the chronic ligament injuries showed where the scar tissue had formed and provided a better visualization of the damaged tissue. Finally, the new US-B system allowed the ultrasound specialist to see the contents of the bursa sac and thickness of the walls more clearly.
During pregnancy an echocardiogram of the fetus can be done to produce images of the heart by sending ultrasonic sound waves to the vital organ. These sound waves create an image for the physician to analyze the babies heart function, structure sizes, and blood flow. A positive diagnosis before birth has shown to improve chances of survival, and will allow for appropriate care to be readily available at birth. If a baby is born without being diagnosed with the heart defect, some symptoms previous noted such as low oxygen levels can be suggestive of hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The baby may not display any symptoms or signs for hours after birth because of the openings allowing for blood to be pumped to the rest of the body. However, listening to the babies heart can revel a murmur indicating an irregular flow of blood in the heart. If a murmur is heard, or signs of the defect are observed, diagnostic tests will be ordered and performed. An echocardiogram is still the go-to test once the baby is born to evaluate the heart. The echocardiogram will diagnose the newborn, by revealing the underdeveloped left ventricle, mitral and aortic valve, and the ascending aorta commonly seen in
Anomalous systemic arterial supply to the lungs has been extensively described in association with other congenital abnormalities such as bronchopulmonary sequestration and hypogenetic lung syndrome (scimitar syndrome). In 1946, Pryce introduced the term ‘sequestration’ to describe congenital abnormalities characterised by an anomalous systemic arterial supply to the lung and atresia or hypoplasia of the pulmonary artery. Sequestration was defined by Pryce as a “disconnected (dislocated, ectopic) bronchopulmonary mass or cyst with an anomalous systemic blood supply”.
After obtaining vital signs, a physical assessment would include inspection, auscultation, percussion and palpation of the abdomen. Inspection consists of visual examination of the abdomen noting its shape, skin abnormalities, abdominal masses, and the movement of the abdominal wall with respiration (Walker, 1990). Abnormalities detected on inspection combined with the patient’s history provide clues to intra-abdominal pathology (Diekmann, n.d). Auscultation of the abdomen is performed before percussion and palpation which can alter bowel motility (Jensen, 2015). Auscultation allows detection of altered bowel sounds, rubs, or vascular bruits. Normal peristalsis creates bowel sounds that may be altered or absent by disease. Percussion is performed to identify organ size and detect the presence of fluid, gas or masses. Palpation includes both light and deep techniques (Jensen, 2015). Light palpation detects areas of tenderness, distention, ascites, presence of masses, and bladder distention; whereas deep palpation, an advanced skill assesses
Furthermore, Aristotle and Galen’s theories contributed to the Renaissance revival of heart anatomy. This reawakening made it possible for physicians to indicate the basic arrangement of the heart. It became commonly accepted that the heart was divided into four parts: two ventricles (lower chambers that pump blood out) and two auricles (upper chamber that r...
An AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm) is defined as enlargement of at least 3 cm of the abdominal aorta. The majority of abdominal aortic aneurysms begins below the renal arteries and ends above the iliac arteries. The exact cause of (AAAs) is unknown. However, it is thought to be due to a degenerative process of the abdominal aorta caused by atherosclerosis. Artherosclerosis represents a response to vessel wall injury caused by inflammation, genetically regulated defects in collagen and fibrillin, increased protease activity within the arterial wall, and mechanical factors (Stoelting p. 143).
Diagnostic medical sonography is a profession where sonographers direct high-frequency sound waves into a patient’s body through the use of specific equipment to diagnose or monitor a patient’s medical condition. As described by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this examination is referred to as an ultrasound, sonogram, or echocardiogram. The high-frequency sound waves emitted from the handheld device, called a transducer, bounce back creating an echo and therefore produce an image that can be viewed on the sonographers computer screen. This image provides the sonographer and physician with an internal image of the patient’s body that will be used in the diagnosis. The most familiar use of ultrasound is used in monitoring pregnancies and is provided by obstetric and gynecologic sonographers, who also provide imaging of the female reproductive system. Other types of sonography include; abdominal sonography, breast sonography, musculoskeletal sonography, neurosonography and cardiovascular sonography. Due to the vast nature of uses in sonography, most professionals study one field that they choose to specialize in. Diagnostic medical sonography is a rapidly growing field because of the increase in medical advances. The area of Cleveland, Ohio has continued to rise in the medical field with great strides, providing better career prospects with the availability of numerous employment positions.
Brain aneurysms can also be referred to as cerebral aneurysms or intracranial aneurysms (IA). A brain aneurysm is formed when there is a bulging spot on the wall of an artery that supplies blood to the brain. As time passes, the blood flow within the artery begins to pound against the thinned portion of the wall. The aneurysm begins to form from the wear and tear on the artery. As the artery wall becomes thinner from the pounding, the blood causes the already weakened wall to swell outward. This built up pressure may cause the artery to break and allow blood to leak into the brain. There are two main
In summary, the medical imaging technology of ultrasound is founded on the world of physics. As we understand more and more about waves and how they functions, ultrasound imaging capabilities expand, allowing for the increasingly accurate diagnostic of medical problems.
Ultrasounds use the same concepts that allow sonar on boats to see the bottom of the o...
Ultrasound Technicians are very valuable in the world of health care. Also known as Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, an Ultrasound Technician uses special machines and equipment that operates on sound waves to determine or diagnose medical problems for patients. There are specializations within this field in which some individuals explore. For instance, areas of specialization includes but not limited to; pregnancy, heart health, gynecology, and abdominal sonography. Although each specializing branch has its own distinctive function, they all involve probing the body to facilitate doctors with diagnoses.
The commonest defect is a narrowing of the main artery from the heart aortic coarctation. A regular ultrasound examination of the heart ... ... middle of paper ... ... s are relatively limited. So far, researchers think it will be possible to increase the final height by 5-10 centimeters, depending on the duration of treatment.
Saccular aneurysms usually are discovered in the main arteries of the cerebral circulation and fusiform aneurysms are often found in the abdominal aorta or in the popliteal artery behind the knee. Of particular interest to me are the fusiform type aneurysms which are found in the abdominal aorta, often referred to as Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA).The aorta, passing over the heart from the left ventricle and running down the backbone is the main artery of the body and supplies oxygenated blood to the circulatory
Initially, my area of interest was directed towards diagnostic sonography, however, this area of study was not