Practice Parameters

AIUM practice parameters are intended to provide the medical ultrasound community with guidelines for the performance and recording of high-quality ultrasound examinations. The parameters reflect what the AIUM considers the minimum criteria for a complete examination in each area but are not intended to establish a legal standard of care.

The AIUM currently offers its practice parameters in two forms:

PDF—read online or download for later (No CME credit)

The AIUM also publishes Training Guidelines. These are not eligible for CME credits.

Abdominal parameter ultrasound

Abdomen or Retroperitoneum * (2021)

Article | Image Library

Abdominal Aorta Parameter

Abdominal Aorta (2021)

Article

AIUM practice parameter image

AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of Penile Ultrasound (2023)

Article

Breast parameter

Breast * † (2021)

Article

Case challenges ultrasound image

Contrast-Enhanced * (2023)

Article

Dysplasia of the hip parameter ultrasound image

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (2024)

Article

AIUM practice parameter image

Documentation (2019)

Article

Extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma (eFAST) ultrasound image

EFAST (2022)

Article

Extracranial ultrasound image

Extracranial Cerebrovascular (2021)

Article | Image Library

Extracranial ultrasound image

Extracranial Head and Neck * (2023)

Article

Extremity artery parameter ultrasound image

Extremity Arteries (2023)

Article

Pelvic ultrasound image

Female Pelvis * (2020)

Article | Image Library

Fetal echocardiography parameter ultrasound image

Fetal Echocardiography * (2019)

Article | Image Library

Follicular ultrasound image

Focused Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (2019)

Article | Image Library

AIUM practice parameter image

Head and Neck (AAO-HNS) * (2014)

Article

Limited obstetric ultrasound parameter image

Limited Obstetric for Advanced Clinical Providers * (2018)

Article

Musculoskeletal ultrasound website image

Musculoskeletal * (2023)

Article

Native renal kidney parameter ultrasound image

Native Renal Vessels (2023)

Article

Neonatal ultrasound image

Neonatal Spine (2021)

Article | Image Library

Neurology parameter ultrasound image

Neurosonography in Neonates and Infants (2020)

Article | Image Library

First trimester obstetric ultrasound image

Obstetric (Detailed 1st Trimester) * (2020)

Article | Image Library

3rd Trimester Ultrasound of Legs

Obstetric (Detailed 2nd/3rd Trimester Anatomy) * (2019)

Article | Image Library

2nd trimester ultrasound

Obstetric (Standard) * (2024)

Article | Image Library

AIUM practice parameter image

Peripheral Arterial (2021)

Article

AIUM practice parameter image

Peripheral Venous (2020)

Article

AAA Pocus ultrasound

Point of Care * (2019)

Article

AIUM practice parameter image

Postoperative Hemodialysis Access (2020)

Article

AIUM practice parameter image

Preoperative Dialysis Access (2021)

Article

Prostate ultrasound parameter image

Prostate & Surrounding Structures (2021)

Article | Image Library

Reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) ultrasound image

Reproductive Medicine and Infertility * (2017)

Article

Scrotal ultrasound parameter image

Scrotal (2021)

Article | Image Library

AIUM practice parameter image

Solid-Organ Transplants (2020)

Article

Sonohysterography parameter ultrasound image

Sonohysterography and Hysterosalpingo-Contrast Sonography (2021)

Article | Image Library

Transcranial Doppler ultrasound parameter image

Transcranial Doppler (2023)

Article | Image Library

Ultrasound-guided needle injection into shoulder bursa image

Ultrasound-Guided Procedures (2016)

Article

Urogynecology parameter ultrasound image

Urogynecology * (2019)

Article | Image Library

Kidney and urology practice parameter ultrasound image

Urology * (2012)

Article | Image Library

AIUM practice parameter image

Vascular Access (2019)

Article

* The AIUM offers practice accreditation for these specialties. View more information.
AIUM-accredited practices are expected to generally follow the parameters with recognition that deviations from these parameters will be needed in some cases, depending on patient needs and available equipment. Practices are encouraged to go beyond the guidelines to provide additional service and information as needed.

† As of November 2013, the AIUM Executive Committee and Board of Governors voted to replace the previous AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of a Breast Ultrasound Examination. In its place, we have adopted the American College of Radiology's (ACR) Practice Parameter for the Performance of a Breast Ultrasound Examination.