Program Overview

MRS546 Obstetric Ultrasound

The emphasis of this subject is to develop an understanding of obstetric sonography across all three trimesters of pregnancy, including appraisal of the developing fetus and placenta. Students will learn the optimal technical and patient management approaches to enable successful demonstration of normal anatomy and diagnosis of pathology.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Dentistry and Health Sciences

Assumed Knowledge

Students are expected to have foundation knowledge in anatomy, physiology, and pathology, and an understanding of principles of ultrasound.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

• be able to explain ultrasound scanning techniques for each trimester of pregnancy and determine: estimation of gestational age; evaluation of fetal growth and presentation; presence of certain structural fetal abnormalities; and presence of any maternal complications with knowledge of maternal risk factors
• be able to present sonographic images demonstrating a logical and methodical approach to scanning and communicate findings clearly and accurately
• be able to identify a range of normal and abnormal image appearances of the areas listed in the syllabus and explain the contributing role and nature of pathologic and developmental processes including fetal abnormalities and maternal complications
• be able to explain the significance of clinical tests and complementary imaging modalities relevant to topics within the syllabus
• be able to describe early embryonic and fetal development through to birth, including the developmental anatomy of the major organ systems and the embryological basis of congenital anomalies and common pathological conditions

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

• Module 1. First Trimester including:
  • visualisation and localisation of the gestational sac (intra-uterine vs ectopic)
  • identification of embryonic demise or living embryo
  • determination of the number of embryos and the chorionicity and amnionicity in multi-fetal gestations
  • estimation of gestational age
  • early assessment of certain anatomy structures and thus early diagnosis of certain fetal anomalies
  • knowledge of protocols and requirements from external auditing bodies in the performance of first trimester screening assessments
  • other diagnostic tests and relation to ultrasound, e.g., biochemical analysis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
• Module 2. Second Trimester including:
  • fetal biometry technique of images required and measurements performed
  • fetal anatomy documentation at the morphology scan
  • placenta and liquor assessment
  • multi-fetal gestations
  • maternal complications with features detectable in the fetus
  • other diagnostic tests and relation to ultrasound, e.g., biochemical analysis and amniocentesis
• Module 3. Third Trimester including:
  • fetal growth
  • fetal well being
  • cervical assessment
  • placenta and liquor
  • multi-fetal gestations
  • Doppler studies

Availability

Session 2 (60) Online Wagga Wagga Campus Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: MRS546. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.