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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Primary care POCUS on the Old Continent: Guidance needed, but at least 1 use case deemed ‘useful and feasible’

Two European studies illustrate opportunities and challenges presented by the growing appeal of point-of-care ultrasound to primary care practices.  

Cross-sectional imaging ordered downstream for just 15% of emergency POCUS patients

Using point-of-care ultrasound in emergency settings does not lead to overutilization of follow-up imaging with cross-sectional CT, MRI or additional ultrasounds. 

Foot ultrasound bested foot MRI on pooled sensitivity while lagging on specificity

MRI beats ultrasound at grading common foot injury, but tables turn for up-or-down diagnostics

Injuries of the plantar plate—the cluster of ligaments underneath the four smaller “knuckles” of the toes—are better assessed with MRI than with ultrasound scans. 

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FDA greenlights portable, wearable 3D breast POCUS

The patient wears the device while the machine essentially operates itself.

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Major teaching hospital finds half its on-call abdominal ultrasounds call utilization into question

The investigators encourage radiologists to consider the numbers and take steps to “reinforce their gatekeeper function” to help cut ultrasound overutilization.

neck ultrasound thyroid

Deep learning and rads comprise an ‘efficient pipeline’ for detecting, classifying thyroid nodules

Competing to classify thyroid nodules on ultrasound images as either malignant or benign, three deep learning models have essentially drawn a tie with four radiologists.

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AI looking handy with 3D abdominal ultrasound

Mayo Clinic researchers have demonstrated a deep learning model that can automatically segment kidneys and measure total kidney volumes using only 3D ultrasound images.

A figure from the 2022 CAD non-invasive imaging guidelines showing a comparison of computed tomography angiography (CTA) and a SPECT-CT vs. an invasive angiogram from the cath lab showing the same blockage in a coronary artery.

New multi-society recommendations highlight role of non-invasive imaging in evaluating coronary artery disease

A new, multi-society document, "Non-Invasive Imaging in Coronary Syndromes," focuses on how multiple imaging techniques can evaluate different aspects of coronary artery disease (CAD), all without the need for invasive angiograms.

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.