Sonology 2009
with Dr Karon Hoffmann and Dr Cathy Beck
February 2009
Do you have problems managing ultrasound cases?
Do you want to develop an effective treatment plan for your patient?
The aim of this course is to assist you to develop a logical and thorough approach in the use of ultrasound in veterinary practice. Ultrasound services should only be provided by those veterinary practitioners who have competence in the specific examinations they undertake, and for which they issue reports. Unfortunately, the hands-on skills necessary for a thorough, complete sonographical examination take years to develop and may require approximately three years or over 1,000 cases. Obviously, this cannot be achieved in a one-day workshop or short course. However, every examination observed or performed will be adding to your knowledge base and will ultimately contribute to your skill level.
This course consists of ten modules. The first module will address the technical know-how needed to control the machine and understand its limitations. Thereafter each module will deal with a region or body system. The notes you receive will essentially provide an outline of the anatomy, normal sonographic anatomy and sonographic pathology of the area of interest. The core notes will be supplemented with suggested reading from the recommended textbooks, and relevant journal articles. Supplementary abstracts will be provided to allow you to be aware of the literature and to locate any other articles that may be of interest to you. You will be asked to complete various exercises and assignments to assist your learning along the way.
The assignments will be of various types. You will be asked to maintain and submit a log book of all your sonographic examinations during the course. In most modules you will be asked to write up at least one case that you have seen in your practice. You may also be asked to write up an unknown examination from a clinical case provided. Also, you will be asked to revise and submit diagrams or images of various anatomical landmarks.
By participating in this course, you can expect to:
- learn to control sonographic equipment rather than have it control you
- develop new technical skills
- revise three-dimensional anatomical knowledge
- define sonographic protocols for examining each organ system
- be able to identify sonographic signs of disease
- update your sonographic knowledge
Basic requirements for the Sonology course
You need to have:
- An ultrasound machine that is already working and that you have been using for a year or more. You need to have a copy of your machine's operations manual to help you to complete the first module.
- A transducer with a small foot print that covers a frequency range of over 7 MHz. You will need other transducers for various size animals and deep tissues, but if you only have one, please make sure it has a higher frequency option.
- The ability to label and print images from your machine. Not only is printing images from your machine required as part of a legal medical record, it is also a vital part of the course. You will be required to submit images regularly throughout the year as part of your assignments. Videos are not acceptable for marking. The printed images must be of equivalent image quality as the image on the screen.
- The time to devote to the course. Approximately 8 hours a week. The topics you are most familiar with may require a little less time. The topics you are unfamiliar with usually require more time.
We know that sonology is an area that is extremely difficult to teach by correspondence, but it is absolutely impossible to teach if you do not have the required equipment or the time needed to cover the material. It is your responsibility to make sure that you have the equipment and time requirements to gain the full benefits from your course. If you do not, please give very careful consideration to enrolling in this course. Participants in the past who have not had the above requirements have been either left behind or have had to put in a great deal of effort to keep up.
Tutors
Dr Karon Hoffmann
BVSc MVSc PhD Dip Vet Clin Stud
Dr Karon Hoffmann is a graduate of the University of Sydney. After completing an internship (Sydney) and residency in large animal internal medicine (North Carolina, USA) she became fascinated by the application of diagnostic ultrasound in the large animal patient. She returned to the University of Sydney to complete both a Masters degree and a PhD in diagnostic ultrasound and the rest is history!
Since 1993, Karon has worked exclusively in veterinary diagnostic ultrasound on many animal species. Some of the animals Karon has imaged include horses, domestic cats, dogs, cattle, alpacas, sheep, ostriches, marsupials, various reptiles, zoo animals, e.g. tigers, leopards, lions, bears, seals, tapirs, chimpanzees, orangutans (and the occasional odd veterinarian). Karon has been involved in both teaching and research of veterinary ultrasonographic diagnostic imaging and is the author of over 30 scientific publications. She is currently a veterinary diagnostic ultrasound consultant for small animal and equine specialists and practitioners, and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney in Diagnostic Imaging – Ultrasound.
Dr Cathy Beck
BVSc (Hons) Dip Vet Clin Stud MVS FACVSc
After graduating from the University of Sydney in 1992 Cathy worked in private practice in Australia and the United Kingdom for two years. In 1995 Cathy completed a rotating mixed animal internship at the University of Sydney, Camden and gained a diploma of veterinary clinical studies. It was during this time that Cathy developed an interest in diagnostic imaging. Since 1996, with the exception of six months at the Ohio State University in 1998/99 working as a clinical instructor, Cathy has worked in diagnostic imaging at the University of Melbourne and is currently senior registrar in diagnostic imaging. Cathy gained a Masters in veterinary studies and membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in radiology during her residency at the University of Melbourne. Cathy gained fellowship of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in radiology in 2002.
Enquiries
Please contact Karen Hewitt, course coordinator
All DE participants are required to be CVE members.