These imaging criteria are based on the American College of Emergency Physicians’ Emergency Ultrasound Imaging Criteria Compendium, approved by the ACEP Board of Directors in 2006. While no set number of stored images is recommended by that document, the minimal imaging views listed below may be useful for learners and may serve as a reminder for key structures which should be assessed. For details on the performance of these scans, please visit the individual tutorialsfor each scan type.
Still images may adequately demonstrate the anatomy detailed below; however consider video clips to delineate it as well, or if the still images do not seem adequate in a particular case.
Minimum Recommended Views for Saved Images:
| FAST exam: 4 views |
- Cardiac view (subxiphoid or other)
- Myocardium and pericardium
- Clips strongly recommended
- Morrison’s pouch (RUQ)
- Inferior pole of kidney
- Diaphragm
- Hepatorenal interface
- Perisplenic space (LUQ)
- Diaphragm
- Splenorenal interface
- Pelvis (bladder)
- Bladder interface with prostate, uterus, or rectum
|
| Cardiac exam: Any two of these views, video clips STRONGLY recommended |
- Subxiphoid four-chamber
- Parasternal long axis
- Parasternal short axis
- Apical four-chamber
|
| Renal: 6 views |
- Transverse view of both kidneys
- Sagittal view of both kidneys
- Transverse and Sagittal view of bladder
|
| Gallbladder exam: 2 views |
- Long axis of gallbladder
- Measure gallbladder wall thickness
- Measure common bile duct diameter
- Demonstrate portal vein, common bile duct
- Short axis of gallbladder
|
| Aorta exam: 4 views |
- Proximal aorta- transverse
- Lumbar shadow, aorta, inferior vena cava, superior mesenteric artery
- Mid aorta- transverse (near level of renal arteries)
- Lumbar shadow, aorta, inferior vena cava
- Iliac bifurcation- transverse
- Longitudinal view of mid-distal aorta
|
Uterus exam:2 or 4 views
ALWAYS evaluate transAbdominally (2 views)
prior to transVaginally
(2 views) |
- Sagittal view of uterus
- Endometrial stripe, bladder, posterior cul-de-sac
- Transverse view of uterus
- Endometrial stripe, bladder
- If there is a pregnancy:
- Measure myometrial mantle (should be greater than 8mm)
- Estimate age (Gestational sac diameter, fetal pole length, etc. using Calcs button on machine)
|
