Book excerpt: Fully master the basic principles and applications of abdominal ultrasound Designed to be kept close at hand during an actual ultrasound examination, Abdominal Ultrasound: Step by Step, second edition, provides the tools, techniques and training to increase your knowledge and confidence in interpreting ultrasound findings. Its clear, systematic approach shows you how to recognize all important ultrasound phenomena (especially misleading artifacts), locate and delineate the upper abdominal organs, explain suspicious findings, apply clinical correlations, and easily distinguish between normal and abnormal images. This second edition includes the new Sono Consultant, a systematic, two-part framework for helping the examiner evaluate specific ultrasound findings and make an informed differential diagnosis. In the first part, Ultrasound Findings, the examiner notes an abnormality at ultrasound, lists all findings, and suggests possible interpretations. In the second section, Clinical Presentation, the examiner starts off with a possible diagnosis (e.g. heart failure, splenomegaly) and then extracts the maximum possible information available on ultrasound to confirm, support, or differentiate the diagnosis. Features: More than 670 ultrasound images and 240 drawings that enhance the text 3-D diagrams that depict complex anatomical structures and spatial relationships Clear and concise learning units for easy mastery of material Providing a logical, structured foundation for performing a successful ultrasound examination, this practice-oriented teaching guide is essential for all students and residents building their skills in ultrasonography.