This course provides a practical, structured approach to the normal gynecological ultrasound examination, with emphasis on high-quality ultrasound image acquisition, standardized documentation and clinically relevant interpretation.

Overview

Course name: ATC8 The normal Gyne examination
Duration of course: 8 hours (+ supplementary materials)
Length of access for each course: 12 months
Certificates: 8 CME credits and ISUOG Certificate of Completion
Access: Online learning, learn at your own pace.  
Education level: Advanced 
Program language: English

Suitable for: Practicing gynecologists, trainees, fellows, residents, radiographers, sonographers, GPs and healthcare professionals providing antenatal care and performing ultrasound scans.

Why do this course?

This course will help you build confidence and consistency in performing high-quality gynecological ultrasound examinations using a structured, systematic approach. Develop practical skills in transabdominal and transvaginal scanning, image acquisition, measurements, standardised terminology and reporting, while strengthening your understanding of normal pelvic anatomy and physiological changes. The course also emphasises patient-centred care, helping you communicate effectively, obtain informed consent and perform examinations safely, professionally and respectfully.

Course description

This course provides a practical, structured approach to the normal gynecological ultrasound examination, with emphasis on high-quality ultrasound image acquisition, standardized documentation and clinically relevant interpretation. Participants will learn how to perform a systematic pelvic ultrasound using transabdominal and transvaginal techniques, including patient preparation, positioning, probe selection, image optimization and acquisition of standard imaging planes. Standardized terms and definitions for ultrasound findings will be addressed, along with the process of writing a gynecological ultrasound report to effectively communicate the results.

The course will review the normal sonographic appearances of the uterus, cervix, endometrium, ovaries and adnexa, with attention the physiological changes related to age, menstrual-cycle phase and menopausal status. It will also address key measurements, including uterine dimensions, endometrial thickness, ovarian volume and follicular activity, and will highlight features that should prompt further assessment. The role of basic three-dimensional ultrasound in enhancing evaluation of normal pelvic anatomy, particularly uterine morphology, will also be introduced. 

A central theme of the course is the integration of technical competence with professional, ethical and patient-centered care. Participants will explore the principles of informed consent, communication, privacy, chaperone use and documentation, particularly in relation to transvaginal ultrasound, and will learn how to adapt or discontinue an examination when clinically or personally appropriate for the patient.

Contributors to this course

Course contributors: Karen Ng, Nina Cooper, Andrew Cowling, Sandy Maranna, Gabor Szabo, Lina Youssef, Divya Singh  

Course materials: Lil Valentin, George Condous, Francesca Moro, Nikos Vrachnis, Daniela Fischerova, Simon Meagher, Steven Goldstein, Beryl Benacerraf, Mala Sibal, Jackie Ross, Ligita Jokubkiene, Thiery van den Bosch, Nishat Bharwani, Antonia Testa, Emmeline Lee, Davor Jurkovic, Shabnam Bobdiwala, Mathew Leonardi, Wouter Froyman, Srdjan Saso, Gabor Szabo

Learning objectives

• Describe a systematic approach to pelvic ultrasound examination, including patient preparation, positioning, probe selection, image optimization and standardized documentation.
• Compare transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound techniques, including their respective indications, advantages, limitations and practical considerations in routine gynecological assessment.
• Demonstrate appropriate scanning technique for transabdominal and transvaginal pelvic ultrasound, including acquisition of standard sagittal, transverse and coronal views where applicable. 
• Recognize and describe the normal sonographic anatomy of the uterus, including uterine position, size, contour, myometrial echotexture and normal anatomical variants. 
• Identify the normal sonographic appearances of the cervix, including cervical length, canal morphology, stromal appearance and relationship to the lower uterine segment and vagina. 
• Assess the endometrium systematically on ultrasound, including measurement technique, normal cyclical variation, echogenicity and appearances in premenopausal and postmenopausal patients. 
• Evaluate the adnexa in a structured manner, including identification of the ovaries, assessment of ovarian volume and follicular activity, and recognition of normal tubal and paraovarian findings. 
• Using standardized terminology, differentiate normal physiological findings from appearances that require further assessment, including common age-related, menstrual-cycle-related and postmenopausal changes. 
• Explain the principles of informed consent for gynecological ultrasound, with particular attention to transvaginal examination, patient autonomy, privacy, chaperone use, communication and documentation. 

Key questions

• How should a systematic pelvic ultrasound examination be performed in routine gynecological practice?  
• When should transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound approaches be used, and how do their techniques, strengths and limitations differ?
• How should the endometrium be assessed, measured and interpreted in relation to age, menopausal status and phase of the menstrual cycle? What measurement should trigger further investigation? 
• What are the normal ultrasound appearances of the ovaries and adnexa, and how can physiological findings be distinguished from abnormalities requiring further evaluation?
• What are the essential elements of informed consent, patient communication and professional conduct when performing gynecological ultrasound, particularly transvaginal examinations?
• How can basic 3D ultrasound enhance assessment during a normal gynecological scan?

Prices

Prices for ISUOG members

 
* Please note that this discount is NOT applicable to ISUOG members situated in a middle-income or lower-resource setting. We may need to verify your status, which may take some time to review.

Prices for ISUOG non-members*

* Prices for non-members does NOT include ISUOG membership. Join as an ISUOG member first for discounted prices to our online training courses (allow 24 hours for systems to update).

Further information

Advanced curriculum course list

Assessing gynecological health

Other gyne health courses in this series:

• ATC8 Cervix - benign pathology 
• ATC8 Endometrium - benign pathology 
• ATC8 Myometrium - benign pathology 
• ATC8 Ovarian - benign abnormalities 
• ATC8 Uterine malformations 
• ATC8 Tubal pathologies