Ultrasound

Ultrasound has long been an efficient and useful adjunct technique for breast imaging. It is the first modality to be proposed in some situations: if a young or pregnant woman has a palpable mass, for example, or immediately after surgery.

Results from papers released Sunday at the 2008 RSNA suggest that a less rigid approach to treatment, coupled with knowledgeable practitioners and judicious patient selection can improve the commercial prospects of outpatient MRI-guided focused ultrasound ablation of uterine fibroids. There are caveats, though.

Researchers from Egypt and Austria are taking a leap of faith to evaluate several possible ultrasound elastography applications in musculoskeletal radiology. Everyone from weekend warriors to elite athletes may benefit if the test is proven effective, according to papers released Monday at the RSNA meeting.

High-resolution sonography can accuratelydetect the causes of residual limbpain in amputees, according to Britishresearchers, who found that ultrasoundcan guide proper treatment andrehabilitation, help educate patientsabout their condition, and even helpwith design and fitting of prostheses.

Enhancements in breast imaging mark the latest ultrasound upgrade from Philips Healthcare. Tissue aberration correction technology and algorithms built into the Vision 2009 upgrade for its iU22 radiological flagship are part of an integrated effort to better define tissue in fatty breasts, according to the company. An enabling technology is the Philips PureWave transducer and its coded beamformer, which have been present on earlier technologies.

Elastrography forms the cornerstone of an ultrasound system unveiled by first-time RSNA exhibitor SuperSonic Imagine. The Aixplorer system is dedicated to breast imaging. It differentiates healthy from cancerous tissues by quantifying differences in the elasticity of the tissues. SuperSonic’s ShearWave Elastography technique produces consistent results regardless of the operator’s skill, according to the company.

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Themes emerging from breast imaging abstracts at the upcoming RSNA include the increased use of breast MRI, full-field digital mammography versus film-screen mammography, and more.

You can tell by the titles of special focus sessions planned for the 2008 RSNA that program committee chair Dr. Robert M. Quencer sees an opportunity to use the sessions to examine tough issues affecting clinical imaging practice.

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Ultrasound contrast agents took a hit on the chin a year ago when the FDA decided to issue a black-box label for them warning physicians of potentially fatal reactions. The black-box labeling of the echocardiography agents was imposed after more than 100 cases of serious cardiopulmonary reactions and at least four deaths from cardiac arrest were reported during their administration.

Results from a large study by Italian investigators suggest that ultrasound can predict the risk of stroke in mostly asymptomatic patients based on the assessment of carotid artery plaque morphology, not just stenosis degree. Sonographic surveillance of plaque evolution could boost stroke prevention.

Diagnosing pregnant women suspected of appendicitis is tricky business. Often the enlarged uterus will displace the appendix, making it hard to find with ultrasound.

Some scientists are concerned that using MR imaging during pregnancy may harm the fetus, with fears focusing primarily on teratogenic effects and acoustic damage.

It’s been a long time coming. Nearly a decade has passed since ATL took a serious run at advancing the medical art of breast cancer diagnosis. The company, long-since absorbed by Philips Healthcare, developed a novel algorithm designed for its Ultramark 9 HDI, later adapted for its HDI 3000 and 5000.

Ultrasound will step into thepolitically charged environs ofwomen's health and address thevagaries of today's financial challengesat this year's RSNA meeting.

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Simpler is better when it comes to ultrasound applications for detecting deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. An Italian study found no significant difference in diagnostic power for this indication between two-point compression ultrasound plus a D-dimer exam and the more complex whole-leg compression ultrasonography. The study was published in the Oct. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Korean researchers find 3D CT scans offer a comprehensive view of complex varicose veins in the lower extremities, a practice that U.S. doctors find troubling.

Sonography can accurately detect the causes of stump pain in amputees, according to researchers in the U.K. Investigators say ultrasound findings could guide management, help educate patients about their condition, and allow prosthesis design customization.

Donated Siemens MR begins operatingSiemens suggests PET swap for bone scansSNM highlights molecular imaging advancesSymposium focuses on ultrasound surgery