Determining the presence and extent of portal hypertension can be challenging. A discussion of its causes, sonographic findings, and optimal scanning techniques will be examined in this presentation. Both new and experienced sonographers will gain valuable insight from this review of ultrasound’s importance in portal hypertension.

• Define portal hypertension and identify its common causes
• Describe grayscale and Doppler ultrasound findings in portal hypertension
• Review scanning techniques and equipment settings that will optimize the ability to make an accurate diagnosis of portal hypertension

1 VT SDMS CME Credit
Previously offered at the 2022 SDMS Virtual Conference.

Angelena Zehm, MEd, RDMS, RVT, RDCS
Program Director
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Keiser University

Vascular sonography plays an integral role in the monitoring and maintenance of arteriovenous (AV) fistulas and grafts for dialysis access. This lecture will define end-stage renal disease (ESRD), discuss the types of AV accesses that can be surgically created for dialysis, and the role of sonography in the care of these patients.

• Define chronic kidney disease (CKD) and ESRD.
• Discuss hemodialysis as a treatment option for ESRD.
• Describe the role of sonography in the creation of AV vascular access for hemodialysis.

1 VT SDMS CME Credit
Previously offered at the 2022 Vascular Virtual Seminar

Katherine Peak, EdD, RT(R), RDMS, RVT
Clinical Assistant Professor
Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Radiologic Imaging Science Programs
University of Southern Indiana

Many anomalies of the female reproductive tract occur before age 18. Sonography is the primary imaging modality used in the evaluation of these anomalies in the pediatric patient. This lecture will review the anatomy and sonographic appearance of normal pediatric female reproductive organs. In addition, pathology specific to the pediatric female reproductive tract will be discussed with the aid of actual patients’ sonographic images. Ultimately, common pitfalls that are associated with pediatric reproductive tract anomalies will be evaluated. The overall goal of this presentation is to enable sonographers to determine normal versus abnormal structures of the pediatric female reproductive tract and to prepare them for overcoming the common, associated pitfalls.

• Review the normal anatomy of the female reproductive tract in the pediatric patient
• Discuss pathology associated with the female reproductive tract in the pediatric patient
• Evaluate pitfalls associated with pathology of the female reproductive tract in the pediatric patient

1 OB SDMS CME Credit
Previously offered at the 2022 GYN Virtual Seminar.

Cara Hill, BS, RDMS, RVT, RT(R)
Sonographer, Adjunct Professor
Maternal Fetal Medicine, Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program
Virginia Hospital Center, Northern Virginia Community College

This lecture will review how the fetal heart functions to help the sonographer understand the needs served by the basic heart views and how to determine abnormalities from them.

• Understand how the fetal heart functions
• Look at what information the basic heart views provide
• Learn how a deeper understanding of fetal heart functions and basic heart views can lead to better determination of abnormalities

1 FE SDMS CME Credit
Previously offered at the 2022 SDMS Virtual Conference.

Sabrina Speer, RDMS, RDCS
Director of Education
Sonosession

What does it take to provide excellent patient care every single day? This presentation reveals how emotional intelligence – a well-established approach in business – also can be used by healthcare providers to enhance patient care.

• Describe emotional intelligence and the nature of its link to patient outcomes
• Review techniques for reducing or eliminating toxic negativity in the workplace
• Prepare the sonographer mentally by promoting introspection

1 OT SDMS CME Credit
Previously offered at the 2022 Abdominal+ Virtual Seminar

Traci Fox, EdD, RDMS, RVT
Associate Professor
Department of Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences
Thomas Jefferson University

Many healthcare departments, such as nursing, use a human resources tool known as a career road map to promote professional development. It is vital that supervisors and managers know how to use this schematic tool to help accelerate employees’ career progression. Semi-annual and annual performance evaluations are a central feature of the career road map and the benefits it offers in improved employee retention.

• Describe the progressive roles of responsibility within the clinical workplace
• Identify ways to help employees map their career options and assess their progress
• Explain the importance of performance assessments in fostering progress toward career goals

1 OT SDMS CME Credit
Previously offered at the 2022 SDMS Virtual Conference

Kevin D. Evans, PhD, RT(R)(M)(BD), RDMS, RVT, FSDMS, FAIUM
Professor, Division Director, Radiologic Sciences & Respiratory Therapy
Director, Laboratory for Investigatory Imaging
Director, Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Vascular Technology programs
Vice-Chair, OSU Committee on Academic Technology
Member, OSU Graduate Interdisciplinary Specialization in Aging
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Dr. Benjamin Levine will present a complete tutorial for shoulder ultrasound and will include the rotator cuff as well as the tendons and structures around it. For each structure being examined there will be slides outlining the anatomy of the tendon under examination followed by a demonstration of the scanning technique. The use of split screen allows a clear view of the transducer orientation on the patient’s shoulder alongside the resulting image. Dr. Levine also includes tips and tricks to help with easier patient and transducer positioning for best results.

• The basic anatomy and ultrasound appearances of the component tendons, muscles, and joints of the shoulder.
• The exam technique including transducer placement and orientation.
• How to position a patient for a shoulder ultrasound, including tips on how to compensate for patient limitations.

1 ​MSK SDMS CME Credit
Previously offered at the 2021 Knowledge Series: Ultrasound of the Shoulder

Benjamin D. Levine, MD

Associate Professor of Radiology
Director, Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
Musculoskeletal Imaging
UCLA Health

This introductory-level musculoskeletal ultrasound course offers an overview of the major bony landmarks used in sonographic evaluation of the elbow, wrist, ankle, knee, and hip. Attention will be given to developing an understanding of the location, method of identification, and the importance of each landmark to each region or joint. Once this foundation has been established, the utilization of each landmark in the completion of an ultrasound examination will be introduced.

• Identify and locate major bony landmarks of the elbow, wrist, ankle, knee, and hip
• Develop an understanding of ultrasound bony landmarks used in musculoskeletal examinations
• Implement the use of landmarks into a musculoskeletal ultrasound evaluation

1 MSK SDMS CME Credit
Previously offered at the 2022 SDMS Virtual Conference

John Persinger, BA, RDMS, RMSKS
Research Sonographer
The Geneva Foundation
Owner/Educator
JP MSK Ultrasound, LLC

In the cardiac abnormality of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), the heart wall grows and thickens to the point of blocking blood flow from the heart. This session explores the use of stress echo to determine peak velocities with HOCM, as well as methods other than Valsalva to find the peak obstruction area.

• Explain various methods used to provoke the peak gradient
• Describe factors that cardiologists and surgeons need to consider before deciding whether intervention is needed
• Guide effective discovery of peak gradient and obstruction location in HOCM

1 ​AE SDMS CME Credit
Previously offered at the 2022 SDMS Virtual Conference

Nicole Campestre, RCS
Supervisor of Echocardiography
The Valley Hospital

Strain echocardiography is another arrow in our clinical critical thinking quiver because it is an easy application sonographers can use to access more data from standard images.

• Extend knowledge of speckle tracking echocardiography and technical factors as they relate to the use of strain echocardiography
• Demonstrate knowledge of application and assessment using strain echocardiography
• Recognize abnormalities in common pathologies seen in echocardiography

1 AE SDMS CME Credit
Previously offered at the 2022 Knowledge Series: Strain Echocardiography - Technical Use, Application, Assessment, and Clinical Cases

Chris Kramer BA, ACS, RDCS, FASE
Co-Program Director Ultrasound Education, Cardiology
Advanced Cardiac Sonographer
Advocate Aurora Healthcare
Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography

This thorough review of neck structures, their characteristics, and their appearance in sonographic images will include a specific focus on diffuse, benign, and malignant disease of the thyroid gland. Anatomy and pathology of the parathyroid gland, lymph nodes, and other neck structures are also discussed.

• Understand the anatomy of the thyroid gland and surrounding structures
• Recognize the sonographic characteristics of worrisome thyroid nodules and lymph nodes
• Describe the sonographic appearance of parathyroid gland pathology

1 ​AB SDMS CME Credit
Previously offered at the 2022 Abdominal+ Virtual Seminar

Nadia Chupka, BS, RDMS, RVT
Sonographer, Adjunct Professor
Staff Sonographer
Mayo Clinic

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD), a precursor to alcohol-induced cirrhosis, is caused by excessive ingestion of alcoholic substances that directly affects liver functions. Abnormal liver function can cause the liver to damage other organs within the abdomen. This case study examines the physiological nature of alcohol-induced cirrhosis and its pathogenesis, external and internal clinical presentations, and treatment options. Treatments for alcohol-induced cirrhosis include liver transplant for permanent correction, as well as varied options to manage symptoms. This case study analyzes ALD in a male patient whose condition highlights the importance of using sonography to routinely monitor ALD patients.

• Define ALD and the role sonography plays in disease surveillance
• Compare and contrast normal versus abnormal sonographic Doppler findings associated with ALD and alcohol-induced cirrhosis
• Discuss the impact lifestyle modifications may have on disease progression

1 ​AB SDMS CME Credit
Previously offered at the 2022 SDMS Virtual Conference.

Layla Q. Simmons, MEd, RDCS, RDMS
Director, Assistant Professor
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program
College of Health Professions at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science (UAMS)