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).

Cardiac imaging pioneer remembered for his joy and enthusiasm

Former American Society of Echocardiography president and well-known cardiac ultrasound pioneer Roberto Lang, MD, died at the age of 73. He helped develop 3D echo technology that is now used by care teams on a daily basis.

Ultrasound-guided thermal ablation safer, as effective as surgery for papillary thyroid cancer

Though surgery is the current standard of care, experts believe ablative strategies "may become the primary choice for PTC treatment" in the future.

Predictive model helps identify malignancy in thyroid nodules.

Predictive model uses 6 ultrasound features to differentiate between benign and malignant thyroid nodules

Once the model is further validated, it could help guide providers in determining how to manage thyroid nodules. 

Example of the four types of breast tissue density. The density of fibroglandular tissue inside the breast impacts the ability to easily see cancers. Cancers are very easy to spot in fatty breasts, but are almost impossible to find in extremely dense breasts. These examples show craniocaudal mammogram findings characterized as almost entirely fatty (far left), scattered areas of fibroglandular density (second from left), heterogeneously dense (second from right), and extremely dense (far right). RSNA

Which exam is best for supplemental imaging of women with dense breast tissue?

It is widely agreed that women with dense breast tissue should undergo supplemental imaging in addition to their routine mammogram screening, but the jury is still out on which modality is best for cancer detection in this group. 

GE HealthCare Optison ultrasound enhancing agent

Cardiac ultrasound contrast completely safe, despite reports to the contrary

There had been a recent uptick in adverse reactions to contrast agents used in transthoracic or stress echocardiography exams, the findings suggest. 

GE HealthCare Optison ultrasound enhancing agent

FDA approves popular ultrasound enhancing agent for pediatric patients

Unlike other UEA options, GE HealthCare's Optison does not contain polyethylene glycol. The FDA approved its use for adult patients back in 1997.

'ThyGPT' slashes rates of thyroid nodule biopsies

Use of the model could reduce unnecessary thyroid nodule biopsies by 40% or more, researchers suggest.

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POCUS slashes diagnosis times in emergency room

Point-of-care ultrasound of the lungs could expedite the diagnostic process in busy EDs, allowing providers to quickly initiate treatment for patients presenting with respiratory symptoms. 

Around the web

Former American Society of Echocardiography president and well-known cardiac ultrasound pioneer Roberto Lang, MD, died at the age of 73. He helped develop 3D echo technology that is now used by care teams on a daily basis.

Imaging and radiology are in a transition right now as more departments and practices are choosing to bring their 3D labs in-house.  

John Simon, MD, CEO of SimonMed Imaging, says imaging has considerably advanced for noninvasive detection of disease and it may be time for it to play a greater role in annual physicals, especially in executive physical exams.