Emergency sonography training with an ultrasound simulator

Background. Ultrasound is an integral part of emergency diagnostics. Regarding education and teaching of ultrasound diagnosis a module" Diagnosis of free intra-abdominal fluid" for a 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound simulator was developed. Methods and concept. A free-hand recording system was coupled with a high-end ultrasound device. 3D-ultrasound volumes were produced and positioned with an electromagnetic tracking system into a mannequin. Feasibility of the ultrasound simulator was assessed during a 4 h ultrasound seminar for students and an 8 h training of postgraduates within realistic emergency scenarios both in the focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST) exam. Results. Out of n=170 volumes a module of 10 virtual cases was constructed. Medical students interpreted windows of normal and pathologic findings correctly in 82% and postgraduates in 94% of cases. Conclusion. The ultrasound simulator with 3D multivolume cases may serve as a new method for realistic training in emergency ultrasound.