Next Course in June 2025. 

This course will be held in June 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. 

Course description

The EULAR Sonography Course will be run simultaneously at three levels, basic, intermediate and advanced, each of them being a combination of lectures and hands-on scanning of models and/or patients with musculoskeletal disorders in small groups with experienced tutors. The course has been designed following the recommendations for the content and conduct of EULAR musculoskeletal ultrasound courses (Naredo E, Bijlsma JW, Conaghan PG, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2008; 67:1017-22).

The BASIC COURSE will focus on learning ultrasound physics, image acquisition, normal sonoanatomy, the standardised examination techniques and ultrasound findings in basic pathology.

This course is one of the criteria for EULAR Competency Assessment in MSUS in Rheumatology – Level 1:

• Criterion 1: Basic Level - Certification proofs for either: Basic EULAR MSUS course / Basic EULAR scientifically endorsed MSUS course / Other equivalent level of Basic MSUS course by National Societies (acceptance is dependent on EULAR). 
• Criterion 2: Intermediate level - Certification proofs for either: Intermediate EULAR MSUS course / Intermediate EULAR scientifically endorsed MSUS course. 
• Criterion 3: Advanced EULAR MSUS course. 
• Criterion 4: EULAR Online Introductory Ultrasound Course. 

Learning objectives

• To know the application, indications and limitations of MSUS in rheumatology.
• To know the ultrasound physics and technology.
• To identify the sonographic pattern of the different musculoskeletal tissues.
• To recognize musculoskeletal artefacts and pitfalls.
• To hold the probe, to optimise B-mode settings of the ultrasound equipment and to acquire ultrasound images.
• To identify MSUS anatomy of each major anatomic area (i.e. shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand, hip, knee, ankle and foot).
• To learn the systematic standardised scanning technique for each major anatomic area: shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand, hip, knee, ankle and foot.
• To document images and to report ultrasound findings and diagnosis.
• To detect and identify basic MSUS abnormalities: joint effusion and synovial hypertrophy, tenosynovitis, enthesopathy, complete tendon tear, calcifications, bursitis, bone erosions and osteophytes, cartilage damage.
  

Certification

After the course, all participants who have successfully completed the course will receive a certificate of attendance on their EULAR School user account.
*100% course attendance is required.