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).

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GE Healthcare finalizes $1.45 billion acquisition in bid to broaden ultrasound business

The imaging industry giant is acquiring BK Medical from Altaris Capital Partners in an all-cash deal, boosting its ultrasound portfolio to a $3B business line.

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Point-of-care ultrasound cuts costs and visit times for patients with developmental hip dysplasia

An average POCUS encounter cost about $121 compared to $339 for formal sonographic evaluation, NYU ortho experts reported recently. 

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Follow-up ultrasound for incidental thyroid nodules on CT not always cost-effective

Age-based cutoffs are much more important than size-based cutoffs, with older patients deriving little benefit from this practice.

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Radiologist consultations after ultrasound imaging drop patient anxiety without prolonging exam time

Scientists see these discussions as a key piece of value-based care, improving patient outcomes without increasing costs, according to an analysis published in Clinical Imaging

AI firm targeting ultrasound with 100 times greater sensitivity raises $25M

DeepSight hopes to broaden the list of uses for US, supplanting “more costly and less accessible” modalities such as CT or MRI. 

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Key factors associated with appendicitis misses on ultrasound and 1 possible fix

A multi-categorical approach to reporting US for suspected appendicitis conveys more precise estimates, according to a new study. 

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FDA removes ‘unnecessary hurdle’ impeding use of ultrasound imaging agent

The federal agency is peeling away precautions that impact enhanced imaging of the heart, GE Healthcare announced Tuesday.  

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AI tool increases radiologists’ accuracy at spotting breast cancer on ultrasound scans by 37%

The system also helped reduce the number of biopsies and false positives, NYU Langone experts detailed recently in Nature Communications

Around the web

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.

The all-in-one Omni Legend PET/CT scanner is now being manufactured in a new production facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin.