Ultrasound phantoms made of gelatin covered with hydrocolloid skin dressing.

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound-guided invasive procedures, such as central venous catheter insertion, soft-tissue abscess drainage, and foreign-body removal are essential competencies for Emergency Physicians. Such competencies can be trained using ultrasound phantoms.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim is to describe ultrasound phantoms that are easily made, inexpensive, reusable, and can withstand multiple punctures.

METHODS

Previously recommended gelatin-only ultrasound phantoms have inadequate surface tension resulting in surface disruption, and cannot tolerate multiple punctures when simulating cyst drainage.

RESULTS

By covering the gelatin phantom with a hydrocolloid skin dressing, we are able to minimize physical surface disruption (by transducer or needles) and might reduce biological breakdown due to bacterial propagation.

CONCLUSIONS

The elements required to construct homemade reusable ultrasound phantoms are inexpensive and can be easily obtained.