Post Graduate Certificate Courses

Post Graduate Certificate in Ultrasound for Paediatrics

Over 3 semesters, the program covers the Fundamentals of Ultrasound scanning and 6 essential modalities encountered in Paediatrics including:

  1. Core ECHO
  2. Lung
  3. Focused Assessment for Free Fluid (FAFF)
  4. US guided Vascular Access and Interventional (USGVAI)
  5. MSK and Soft Tissue
  6. IVC, Bladder Volume and Appendicitis

Key Information

Course Duration:

9-10 months

Venue:
The Notch Conference Center, Kappara
Price:
TBA

Generic Information

• Limited to 10 candidates per course for effective mentorship
• Blend of online lectures/webinars and in-person practice
• Segmented online lectures aid self-paced learning
• Online portal for resources, mentor interaction, and submissions
• Each candidate is assigned an experienced mentor for year-long guidance
• Facilitation of access to practice machines
• 6-8 in-person intensive practice days per course
• Mandatory practice logbook with scans and pathologies
• Final exam with practical and theoretical elements for course completion.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course the candidate should be able to:

•  Appreciate the fundamental physics principles relating to ultrasound including the piezoelectric effect, the factors that influence imaging as well as the recognition and differentiation of various artefacts
•  Recognise the importance of frequency and the way it impacts probe selection and machine settings
•  Understand and utilise the proper terms to annotate images and report scans
•  Utilise the various functions on US machines to optimise the scan
•  Hold and manipulate the probe effectively being mindful of ergonomics

•  Recognise the value of the various cardiac views in evaluating different cardiac structures
•  Define the sonoanatomy and recognise the cardiac structures in all cardiac views
•  Understand the changes in the cardiac chambers and valves during the cardiac cycle
•  Define the normal upper limits for diameters and ratio of the cardiac structures
•  Define the normal parameters for LV contractility
•  Acquire parasternal long and short axis, as well as subcostal views of the heart
•  Utilise a structured approach to optimise the various cardiac views and recognise the impact of specific movements on the cardiac appearance
•  Adopt the DEFG structured diagnostic approach to the evaluation of cardiac dimensions and function
•  Appreciate the normal ratios of the cardiac structures to assist in the diagnosis of shunts and cardiomyopathy
•  Evaluate the systolic function/contractility of the heart
•  Identify pericardial effusions and recognise tamponade physiology
•  Issue a report

•  Evidence base for lung ultrasound
•  Anatomy and sonoanatomy of the lung
•  12 zone evaluation of the lungs
•  Use a structured approach for the evaluation of each lung zone
•  Appreciate the sonographic appearances of various pathologies
•  Integrate the findings with the clinical context to assist diagnosis
•  Lung Scores and their application

•  Appreciate the anatomy and sonoanatomy of 4 anatomical spaces which will be interrogated for free fluid including the right and left pleural spaces, peritoneum and pericardium
•  Evaluate the right and left pleural space, peritoneum and pericardium for the presence of free fluid using 4 views: right and left flank, suprapubic and subcostal
•  Identify the presence of free fluid in these spaces to diagnose pleural and pericardial effusions as well as ascites
•  Understand the indications, sensitivity and limitations of FAFF scanning
•  Recognise when to refer for further imaging
•  Apply techniques to minimise operator variability and improve the comprehensiveness of the scan
•  Issue a report

•  Recognize the evidence base underpinning the use of US in interventional procedures vs a landmark approach
•  Infection control measures and sterility
•  Differentiate veins, arteries, nerves, muscles and tendons
•  Identify the central veins used for central access including the Internal Jugular, the Subclavian and the Femoral veins.
•  Evaluate the venous anatomy of the upper limb venous system using ultrasound
•  Assess peripheral vein suitability using the WASPS approach
•  Optimising probe/vein alignment for intervention
•  Utilise in-plane and out-of-plane approaches for guided vascular access and interventions such as aspiration
•  Use ultrasound to confirm successful cannulation

•  Appreciate the sonoanatomy of bone, muscle, tendon and soft tissues
•  Recognise the appearance of pathologies including fractures, contusions and hematomas
•  Evaluate head injuries for skull fractures and differentiate fractures from sutures
•  Evaluate lymph nodes and differentiate between normal and abnormal nodes
•  Differentiate cellulitis vs abscess
•  Diagnose paediatric hip effusions in the limping child

•  Appreciate the evidence base for IVC ultrasound in the paediatric population
•  Understand the impact of respiratory physiology on the IVC
•  Identify and correctly measure the IVC
•  Calculating the IVC collapsibility index and the IVC/Ao ratio
•  Identify which patients will benefit from fluid administration in cases of hypotension and shock
•  Recognise the limitations of IVC scanning
•  Image the bladder in 2 planes and acquire a volume measurement
•  Appreciate the evidence base for ultrasound scanning for appendicitis in paediatrics
•  Appreciate the anatomy, pathophysiology and sonoanatomy of appendicitis
•  Recognise the differences in sonoanatomy between other differentials including enteritis, ileitis and mesenteric adenitis
•  Understand the limitations of the scan