Carotid Ultrasound Evaluation

Target Audience: All registered sonographers, student sonographers, and radiologic technologists who desire entry level training with vascular ultrasound.

Overall goal of activity: To enhance the knowledge and skills in the areas of vascular technology, sonographic principles and instrumention, and other topics related to sonography

Description: This course focuses on normal findings and technical aspects of carotid sonography including vertebral and intracranial arteries. An introduction to ultrasound physicis and its specific application to carotid duplex scanning, anatomy of the extracranial carotid system, ultrasound assessment of carotid plaque, carotid stenosis, carotid occlusion, and uncommon carotid pathology will also be discussed.

Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Describe the fundamentals of Doppler principles
• Identify the ultrasound appearance of normal carotid anatomy and flow
• Describe the role of ultrasound in the management of cerebrovascular disease
• Describe the normal findings and technical aspects of carotid sonography
• Describe the ultrasound assessment of carotid plaque, stenosis, and pathology
• Demonstrate the use of color and duplex imaging to evaluate carotid flow.
• Perform a basic carotid ultrasound evaluation using the correct protocol

Approved for up to 24 SDMS CMEs

SDMS credits also accepted as ARRT category A credits