Ultrasound

Ultrasound, also referred to as sonography or diagnostic ultrasound, uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize soft tissue. Ultrasounds are frequently ordered to measure fetal anatomy during pregnancy, check for blood clots and to guide needle biopsy procedures of the breast, abdomen and pelvis. The imaging modality does not use any radiation to create images. Find news specific to cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography).

How beneficial is MR-directed breast ultrasound in reducing biopsies?
A team of experts determined that correlating masses initially detected on MRI are significantly more likely to result in a cancer diagnosis than other common findings.
A significant amount of imaging orders in emergency settings are inappropriate
A general lack of awareness pertaining to ACR appropriateness criteria could be a driving factor behind the misguided requisitions, authors of a new analysis suggest.
USPSTF stops short of recommending supplemental imaging for women with dense breast tissue
Experts, medical organizations and advocates alike are coming forward saying that the new guidelines “do not go far enough,” particularly when it comes to addressing the screening needs of certain patients.
Ultrasound-damaged organoids show how brain injury may progress into ALS
Seeking ways to protect the brain, the researchers found a gene called KNNJ2 that aids in muscle contraction and relaxation.
Ultrasound specialists update recommendations for endometriosis screening
The authors recommend tweaking pelvic ultrasound with new maneuvers that produce clearer images.

One-third of physicians order thyroid ultrasounds unsupported by clinical guidelines

While a majority of exams were necessary, Michigan Medicine researchers said recommendations could be more clear.

August 13, 2020

Ultrasound, 3D printing combine to help blind parents feel their babies' faces

The idea came about after a sonographer at Johns Hopkins wondered if the technology could be used to create a model for a blind mother.

August 10, 2020

Will the pandemic push point-of-care ultrasound to replace the stethoscope?

Larry Istrail, MD, a hospitalist physician at Inova Health System, recently argued for the change in a July 15 opinion piece.

July 15, 2020

3D ultrasound accurately measures blood flow: ‘Matter of time before it reaches the clinic’

Michigan Medicine researchers validated the method across seven labs using a number of different testing conditions, reporting their findings in Radiology.

July 1, 2020

Focused ultrasound approach shows ‘substantial potential’ for treating deadly brain tumor

Using the "sonodynamic" technique, UVA Medicine researchers reduced the total number of living cancer cells by nearly 50%.

June 22, 2020

AI accurately distinguishes breast cancer on ultrasounds, but still can’t replace sonographers

With further refinement, the researchers say their convolutional neural network-based platform could help lighten sonographers’ ever-increasing workloads.

June 12, 2020

Lung ultrasound ‘substantially’ influences treatment for pregnant women with COVID-19

Treatment for COVID‐19 was either started or changed in 87.5% of the patients based on LUS findings, doctors reported in the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine.

June 3, 2020

Why point-of-care ultrasound may be radiology’s best bet against COVID

Lung ultrasound can help reduce exposure to staff and patients, and offers important clinical advantages over chest radiography and computed tomography.

May 13, 2020

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

AI improves CT assessments, boosts care for real-world heart patients

Automated AI-generated measurements combined with annotated CT images can improve treatment planning and help referring physicians and patients better understand their disease, explained Sarah Jane Rinehart, MD, director of cardiac imaging with Charleston Area Medical Center.

Cardiovascular Business

AI predicts cardiovascular risk during CT scans—no invasive tests or contrast required

Two advanced algorithms—one for CAC scores and another for segmenting cardiac chamber volumes—outperformed radiologists when assessing low-dose chest CT scans.

Radiology Business

Google teams with Bayer to address radiologist burnout via AI

"Gen AI can help tackle repetitive tasks and provide insights into massive datasets, saving valuable time," Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, said Tuesday.

Ultrasound

How beneficial is MR-directed breast ultrasound in reducing biopsies?

A significant amount of imaging orders in emergency settings are inappropriate

USPSTF stops short of recommending supplemental imaging for women with dense breast tissue

Ultrasound-damaged organoids show how brain injury may progress into ALS

Ultrasound specialists update recommendations for endometriosis screening

Around the web