How to perform gastrointestinal ultrasound: Anatomy and normal findings

Figure 1 A systematic approach in examining the whole intestine. A: Examination begins in a relaxed ventral position; B: Beginning medial to the right anterior superior iliac spine, the iliacal vessels (IAV) are identified and the first bowel loop crossing medial-to-lateral is the terminal ileum (TI). The same technique on the right identifies the sigmoid colon; C: Elevating the arm spreads the rib spaces to improve visualisation of the splenic flexure (SF); D: Gentle pressure as the patient breaths out improves visualization of the mesentery and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) to exclude lymphadenopathy. The videos can be accessed via the efsumb website [http://www.efsumb.org/education/cfd-videos001.asp].