Empowering OB/GYN Trainees Through Point-of-Care Ultrasound: Bridging Imaging and Clinical Care

Posted on December 9, 2025 by aium1952

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has rapidly become an essential advancement in modern clinical practice. By bringing real-time imaging directly to the bedside, POCUS allows the same clinician who examines the patient to also visualize anatomy, assess pathology, and immediately act on findings. This integration of imaging and decision-making has made POCUS indispensable across multiple specialties, and obstetrics and gynecology are no exception.

The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) has long recognized the importance of standardization and quality in ultrasound practice. Its Practice Parameter for the Performance of Point-of-Care Ultrasound¹ provides clear specifications for evaluating the abdomen, retroperitoneum, thorax, heart, and extremities for deep venous thrombosis. These guidelines form the foundation for ensuring that the benefits of POCUS—speed, accuracy, and accessibility—are balanced with safety and quality.

POCUS in Everyday OB/GYN Practice

Within obstetrics and gynecology, POCUS is a natural extension of bedside care. On labor and delivery units, it enables rapid assessment of fetal presentation, amniotic fluid, and placenta and fetal well-being through biophysical profiles. In emergency and postoperative settings, clinicians can use POCUS to quickly evaluate for intraperitoneal free fluid, aiding in the diagnosis of ruptured ectopic pregnancy or postoperative bleeding.

Evidence continues to support the diagnostic reliability of POCUS in OB/GYN. For instance, Boivin et al² evaluated its accuracy in diagnosing retained products of conception in 265 patients. They found that point-of-care ultrasound demonstrated a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 93.8%, validating its value in streamlining diagnosis and guiding timely management.

Training Gaps and the Case for Structured Education

Despite its broad applicability, ultrasound training in OB/GYN residency and MFM fellowship remains highly variable. Currently, emergency medicine is the only specialty with formal requirements for ultrasound training and credentialing. This gap has led to inconsistent proficiency among new OB/GYN graduates, even though ultrasound is fundamental to the specialty.

A structured curriculum in POCUS can address this gap. Training should combine didactic instruction, hands-on scanning, and supervised image review, building both technical skills and diagnostic reasoning. Defining competency benchmarks and maintaining image portfolios reviewed by credentialed sonographers or MFM faculty can help standardize skill acquisition and ensure quality.

Expanding POCUS Applications in Obstetric Critical Care

POCUS offers unique advantages beyond fetal and gynecologic imaging, particularly in the management of acutely ill obstetric patients. In the setting of hypertensive disorders, sepsis, or peripartum cardiomyopathy, bedside ultrasound can provide immediate insights into maternal cardiopulmonary status.

Lung ultrasound helps identify pulmonary edema, distinguishing cardiac from non-cardiac causes of dyspnea.
Cardiac views allow assessment of contractility and pericardial effusion.
Inferior vena cava (IVC) measurements help estimate fluid status and guide resuscitation in acutely ill patients.

Learning Early, Learning Effectively

Training in ultrasound doesn’t have to wait until residency. Vyas et al³ demonstrated that even first-year medical students could perform a basic obstetric triage scan after only twelve hours of training. Students correctly identified fetal lie, placental location, amniotic fluid index, biparietal diameter, and head circumference in more than 90% of cases, showing that structured, feedback-driven instruction can produce reliable results even among novice learners.

Sustaining Competence Through Practice

Ultrasound is a skill that requires repetition, reflection, and review. A comprehensive program should integrate longitudinal opportunities for scanning, image storage, and expert feedback. Access to curated image archives can help trainees build pattern recognition and diagnostic confidence. Incorporating POCUS assessments into rotations, such as emergency triage, obstetric critical care, or ultrasound electives, reinforces learning through real-world application.

Conclusion

Point-of-care ultrasound represents both an art and a science, merging clinical intuition with immediate visual data. For OB/GYN residents and MFM fellows, POCUS is not simply a diagnostic adjunct but a core competency that enhances patient safety, efficiency, and confidence at the bedside.

By embedding structured POCUS training and competency assessment into OB/GYN education, we can ensure the safe and effective use of ultrasound in medicine. Doing so ensures that the next generation of clinicians will not only interpret images but truly see their patients more completely, more immediately, and more compassionately.

References

1. American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Examinations. J Ultrasound Med 2021; 40(8):E34–E52. https://doi.org/10.1002/jum.14972

2. Boivin J, et al. Utility of Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Retained Products of Conception. J Obstet Gynaecol Can 2020; 42(4):440–446. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogc.2019.08.026

3. Vyas KS, et al. Point-of-Care Obstetric Ultrasound Training for First-Year Medical Students in Rural Settings. J Ultrasound Med 2018; 37(3):715–722. https://doi.org/10.1002/jum.14404

Ruchira Sharma, MBBS, MD, FACOG, is a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist, Director of MFM Fellowship, and Director of the Obstetric Ultrasound and Antenatal Testing Unit at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Sara Buhmaid, MD, is a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellow at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Ruchira Sharma, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ. 10/25/2021 Photo by Steve Hockstein/HarvardStudio.com

Advancing Your Career in Ultrasound: Opportunities for Sonographers and Physicians

Posted on November 25, 2025 by aium1952

Ultrasound technology continues to evolve at an incredible pace, expanding far beyond its traditional role in obstetrics and gynecology. From emergency medicine and cardiology to musculoskeletal and critical care applications, the field of diagnostic ultrasound offers a wealth of professional growth opportunities for both sonographers and physicians. Whether you’re just beginning your career or looking to take it to the next level, there are many paths to expand your expertise, enhance patient care, and stay at the forefront of this dynamic profession.

Deepening Clinical Expertise

One of the most effective ways to advance in ultrasound is through specialization. For sonographers, focusing on a subspecialty, such as vascular, musculoskeletal, or cardiac, can set you apart and open doors to leadership or advanced practice roles. Certification through organizations like the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) signals your commitment to excellence and can lead to increased responsibility and compensation.

Physicians who use ultrasound as part of their practice can also benefit from additional training. Many professional societies now offer structured educational pathways and credentialing opportunities. For example, clinicians in emergency medicine, critical care, internal, and family medicine, and other healthcare providers can pursue POCUS certifications that demonstrate proficiency in specific applications such as vascular access, trauma assessment, or cardiac evaluation. Continuous education ensures clinicians maintain high diagnostic accuracy and stay current with best practices and evolving technology.

Embracing Technological Innovation

Advancements in ultrasound equipment, such as portable and handheld devices, artificial intelligence (AI) integration, and enhanced image resolution, have expanded how and where imaging can be performed. Staying ahead of these changes not only improves clinical capabilities but also helps professionals remain adaptable as the industry evolves.

Attending professional conferences, workshops, and online training sessions allows sonographers, physicians, and other healthcare providers to gain hands-on experience with emerging technologies. Participating in research or collaborating on quality improvement initiatives can also deepen understanding of how these tools improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. Those who embrace innovation often find themselves in leadership roles, guiding colleagues through the adoption of new techniques and tools.

Developing Leadership and Teaching Skills

Career development isn’t limited to clinical expertise. Many professionals find fulfillment by moving into education, management, or research roles. For example, experienced sonographers can become clinical educators, training the next generation of imaging professionals or leading quality assurance programs within their departments. Similarly, physicians skilled in ultrasound often become mentors, departmental champions, or leaders in developing institutional protocols and training programs.

Strong communication and teaching skills are key in these roles. Consider pursuing opportunities to present at conferences, contribute to educational publications, or lead workshops within your institution. These activities not only strengthen your professional reputation but also advance the field as a whole by sharing knowledge and promoting best practices.

Building a Professional Network

Networking is another powerful component of career growth. Joining professional organizations such as the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) or specialty-specific societies offers access to a supportive community of peers, mentors, and experts. Through committees, webinars, and continuing education programs, professionals can stay connected to industry trends and gain exposure to new career paths.

Online communities and professional social media platforms can also serve as valuable networking tools. Sharing insights, discussing case studies, or participating in virtual learning opportunities can build your visibility and connect you with like-minded professionals across the globe.

Shaping the Future of Ultrasound

Ultrasound is one of the most dynamic and accessible imaging modalities in medicine. As technology continues to evolve, the demand for skilled, knowledgeable professionals will only grow. By investing in lifelong learning, embracing innovation, and contributing to the professional community, sonographers, physicians, and other healthcare providers can shape not only their own careers but also the future of patient-centered imaging.

Every scan offers a chance to learn something new, and every professional development step helps ensure that ultrasound remains a cornerstone of safe, effective, and compassionate care.

Therese Cooper, MS, RDMS, is a sonographer and the Chief Learning Officer at the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.

AIUM Joins 400+ Organizations in a National Effort to Support Robust NIH Funding for FY 2026

Posted on November 11, 2025 by aium1952

The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) is proud to join a nonpartisan coalition of national organizations in signing a letter to Congressional leaders urging well-funded, sustained federal investment in medical research through the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The letter, circulated by the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research and endorsed by a broad range of patient, clinician, scientific, academic, and industry organizations, calls on Congress to prioritize finalizing the fiscal year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) appropriations bill with no less than $47.2 billion for the NIH, in addition to funding for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). At the time of signing on, 455 other organizations also signed on to support this letter, supporting a bipartisan commitment to predictable and sustained growth in medical research funding. 

The Ad Hoc Group’s message is clear: consistent and predictable NIH funding is vital to advancing medical innovation, supporting the next generation of researchers, and improving health outcomes for patients nationwide. NIH-supported research has been central to breakthroughs that address cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, medical imaging, autoimmune conditions, and countless other medical challenges that affect our communities and members. To continue this outstanding research, and by extension fuel innovation in the United States’ centers of higher learning, medical schools, and research institutions, NIH must receive a robust investment for 2026.

As an organization committed to advancing the safe and effective use of ultrasound in medicine, the AIUM recognizes that innovation in imaging and diagnostics depends on the continued strength of our nation’s research infrastructure. As AIUM President, I am proud to add our voice to this united call for sustained, bipartisan investment in medical research.

The AIUM will continue to advocate for policies that support the research community, promote advancements in ultrasound, and improve patient care through evidence-based medicine. I welcome our members to message me with your thoughts at president@aium.org.

To read the full letter and see the list of signatories, visit https://www.fundnih.org/media/10096/download.

About the Author

David Jones, MD, is President of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) and Professor and Director of the Fetal Diagnostic Center in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. He is committed to advancing excellence in medical ultrasound through innovation, education, and collaboration.

Shear Wave Elastography Shows Reliable Consistency in Breast Imaging

Posted on October 28, 2025 by aium1952

Shear wave elastography (SWE), a technique that maps tissue stiffness in ultrasound imaging, continues to gain clinical interest, especially when evaluating lesions classified as BI-RADS 3 or 4. A recent multicenter investigation assessed how consistently SWE delivers reliable measurements, both when the same operator examines a lesion multiple times and when different operators perform the evaluation.

Key Insights: Reliability Across Scenarios

The study found strong agreement both within individual operators and between different operators. In practical terms, this means that SWE produces dependable, consistent results whether one sonographer repeats the scan or if multiple clinicians assess the same lesion separately. That kind of stability is particularly valuable when clinical decisions hinge on minor changes in stiffness measurements.

Why Consistency Matters for Practice

Enhanced Diagnostic Confidence: Reliable SWE readings help clinicians interpret subtle differences in lesion characteristics more confidently. This consistency could improve the decision-making process when ultrasound images don’t clearly show whether a lesion is benign or malignant.
Reduced Re-exams and Variability: High repeatability minimizes the need for unnecessary retests, cuts down on variability, and reduces patient anxiety about potentially inconsistent results across scans.
Better Standardization in Clinical Workflows: For departments aiming to standardize assessment protocols—whether for quality assurance or multicenter trials—knowing that SWE holds up regardless of the operator is a clear advantage.

Clinical Benefits for Patients and Practitioners

For patients, reliable SWE can mean fewer follow-up scans, more consistent recommendations, and potentially less invasive follow-up. For ultrasound professionals, it supports smoother integration of SWE into routine workflows without worrying that interpretation will vary based on who’s scanning.

In Summary

This study confirms that SWE offers dependable and reproducible measurements in breast imaging, regardless of who performs the scan or whether it’s repeated by the same operator. These findings strengthen SWE’s role as a trustworthy imaging adjunct. By reinforcing consistency, SWE supports clearer clinical pathways and may ultimately reduce unnecessary procedures, benefiting both providers and patients.

For a more detailed look at the study’s findings and statistical analysis, you can read the full article on the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine (JUM): https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jum.16344

Interested in learning more about breast imaging? Check out the AIUM’s on-demand webinar: Personalized Screening for Breast Cancer.

Cynthia Owens, BA, is the Publications Coordinator for the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM).

Ultrasound’s Hidden Superpowers and Why We Celebrate Them Every October

Posted on October 14, 2025 by aium1952

Every October, the medical imaging community comes together to observe Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month (MUAM), a period dedicated to raising public understanding of the ultrasound’s vital role in healthcare. Sponsored by organizations such as the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS), the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE), Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS), and the Society for Vascular Ultrasound (SVU), MUAM seeks to dispel the common misconception that ultrasound is mainly for pregnancy and to shine a light on its many other life-changing uses.

While many people immediately think of fetal imaging when they hear “ultrasound,” that’s only one of many applications. In fact, ultrasound helps patients at every stage of life, from newborns to seniors, across numerous medical fields. MUAM is a perfect time to celebrate the often-unseen breadth of ultrasound and the professionals who use it.

Why a Special Month for Ultrasound?

Ultrasound is safe, widely available, and cost-effective. Because it doesn’t rely on ionizing radiation (as with X-rays or CT scans), it offers a gentler imaging option, particularly for soft tissues.

The purpose of MUAM is to encourage professionals to educate patients, colleagues, and the public about how ultrasound supports diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment across a diversity of conditions.

Beyond Babies: Diverse Applications of Medical Ultrasound

Here’s a look at just a few of the many ways ultrasound is used outside obstetrics:

1. Cardiac / Echocardiography

Ultrasound is widely used to visualize the heart’s structure and function, assess valve integrity, detect fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion), and monitor things like left ventricular ejection fraction.
Doppler ultrasound can also show blood flow velocities, helping to detect stenosis or regurgitation in valves.

2. Vascular and Circulatory Imaging

Doppler vascular ultrasound can assess veins and arteries, detecting blockages, clots (eg, deep vein thrombosis), or stenosis.
It’s used to examine carotid arteries (for stroke risk), peripheral arteries (leg circulation), and vascular grafts.

3. Abdominal and Pelvic Imaging

Ultrasound is often used to evaluate organs like the liver, gallbladder, spleen, kidneys, pancreas, and bladder.
It can detect gallstones, kidney stones, hydronephrosis, liver masses, or fluid collections (eg, ascites).
In the pelvis outside pregnancy, it helps assess uterine/ovarian pathology, fibroids, pelvic fluid, or masses.

4. Musculoskeletal (MSK) Imaging

Ultrasound is used to image muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and nerves.
It helps in diagnosing tendon tears, bursitis, muscle strain, nerve entrapment (eg, carpal tunnel), and joint inflammation.
It also guides injections or aspirations.

5. Pediatric Imaging

In infants and children, ultrasound is often the first-line imaging for soft tissues, head/neck, hips (developmental dysplasia), and neonatal brain (via fontanelles).
Because it’s radiation-free, it’s especially favorable for young patients.

6. Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS)

In emergency, critical care, and bedside settings, physicians use handheld or portable ultrasound to rapidly evaluate ailments such as fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion), free fluid in the abdomen, cardiac tamponade, or guidance during central line placement.
This real-time use can expedite diagnosis and treatment.

7. Interventional / Intraoperative Ultrasound

Surgeons sometimes use ultrasound during procedures to locate lesions, guide resections, or assist in biopsies or ablations.
Interventional radiologists may use ultrasound guidance for needle placements (biopsy, drainage) and local therapies.

8. Therapeutic Ultrasound & Special Applications

Beyond imaging, ultrasound has therapeutic uses (eg, high-intensity focused ultrasound, ultrasound-assisted drug delivery).
In neurology and neuroscience, for example, therapeutic ultrasound is being explored in treating conditions like Alzheimer’s disease or other brain disorders.
In space medicine, ultrasound is one of the few imaging options available aboard the International Space Station (ISS). As part of the Advanced Diagnostic Ultrasound in Microgravity project, astronauts use ultrasound to assess various organ systems in microgravity.

How You Can Support Ultrasound Awareness
(Especially This October)

Share knowledge: If you’re a clinician or educator, talk with colleagues or patients about the many roles of ultrasound.
Use social media: Companies and organizations often use hashtags like #MUAM2025 to share educational images, infographics, or stories.
Celebrate sonographers and ultrasound technologists: Recognize the skill, dedication, and meticulous work of these professionals.
Invite engagement: Host a webinar, post Q&A content, or distribute simple “Did you know?” facts about ultrasound to patients.

Final Thoughts

Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month is more than a promotional event. It’s an opportunity to correct a common misconception: ultrasound is not just for pregnancy. From the heart to the knees to the kidneys, even to outer space, ultrasound plays a vital, versatile role in modern medicine.

Let’s use October’s spotlight to help people see inside, not just for babies but for better health at every age.

Cynthia Owens, BA, is the Publications Coordinator for the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM).

Ultrasound in Prostate Disease: Rethinking an Old Standard

Posted on September 30, 2025 by aium1952

When was the last time you really reconsidered the power of ultrasound in evaluating prostate disease? For many clinicians, TRUS (transrectal ultrasound) is synonymous with biopsy guidance. It’s mechanical, familiar, and perhaps even taken for granted. But prostate ultrasound is evolving. And if you haven’t revisited its capabilities lately, you may be missing a revolution happening in prostate ultrasound.

Prostate ultrasound is no longer just about finding hypoechoic lesions in the peripheral zone. Thanks to modern advancements such as shear wave elastography, micro-ultrasound, and contrast-enhanced imaging, it’s becoming a serious contender against mpMRI in diagnostic precision. These tools are changing how we assess tissue architecture, identify aggressive disease, and even rethink how biopsies are performed.

Micro-ultrasound, operating at 29 MHz, offers up to 300% higher resolution than conventional TRUS. The real-time visualization it provides is detailed enough to detect subtle architectural changes that MRI might miss. With the PRI-MUS scoring system (Prostate Risk Identification using Micro-Ultrasound), clinicians now have a structured way to risk-stratify lesions without leaving the ultrasound suite.

Meanwhile, shear wave elastography (SWE) is providing functional insight beyond what grayscale can offer. By measuring tissue stiffness, SWE can help us differentiate between benign and malignant areas, especially in the transition zone where conventional imaging often falls short. Have you considered how much additional value elastography could bring to your routine prostate assessments?

The evolving role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is also noteworthy. With microbubble technology enhancing vascular detail, CEUS is proving useful in targeting suspicious areas. In some cases, it even outperforms MRI in patients with contraindications to gadolinium. Is there a place for CEUS in your practice?

And what about biopsies? While MRI fusion-guided approaches have become popular, micro-ultrasound offers a compelling, MRI-independent alternative. In experienced hands, it may not only match MRI-targeted biopsy accuracy but even outperform it in certain clinical contexts. Could this be the moment to reassess your default workflow?

Across the globe, clinicians are rethinking prostate imaging protocols. In settings where MRI is limited or inaccessible, these advanced ultrasound techniques are not just stand-ins; they are front-line modalities in their own right. We should be teaching residents and sonographers to see prostate ultrasound as more than just a guided-needle pathway.

This isn’t just about technology. It’s about mindset. Are we giving prostate ultrasound the credit it deserves as a dynamic, diagnostic-first tool?

We invite you to reflect on your current practices. Are you leveraging all that modern ultrasound has to offer in prostate disease? Are there barriers—technical, educational, or institutional—that keep your department from integrating these advancements?

Let us know what you think. Share your experiences, your questions, your doubts. The conversation around prostate ultrasound is changing, and we want your thoughts.

Bruce R. Gilbert, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Urology at Zucker School of Medicine of Hofstra/Northwell, Vice-Chair for Urology Quality, and Director of Male Reproductive and Sexual Medicine at the Smith Institute for Urology in New York.

A professional portrait of a man in a suit and tie, smiling against a plain background.

Advocacy Works!

Posted on September 16, 2025 by aium1952

Does one voice really matter? This is a question I often hear when the Academy for Radiology & Biomedical Imaging Research and I, on its behalf, ask NIH-funded researchers to advocate for increased NIH funding.

Your Voice Matters

I know that as a busy physician, physician-scientist, or researcher, advocating for the NIH might seem like an additional and burdensome task. Still, your advocacy offers significant benefits that directly impact your work and career. Most importantly, your voice carries weight as a constituent and a trusted professional. Former Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA) stated often over the years to members of the Academy, “Congress is a reactive institution. It reacts to the push from outside. It is essential to keep sharing your stories, your experience, your work.” Thirty years ago, when the Academy was founded, this truth inspired us, and it inspires us just as strongly today. This community has a strong and important voice with expertise and experience to share.

“Yes, one voice can make a difference. Your voice. When you tell your story, you bring the issues to life—whether it’s a grant cut that ended a trial, a breakthrough that could expand access to care, or the uncertainty that makes you question your future in science. These stories have power. They can open minds, change hearts, and drive policymakers to act.”

The Academy Can Help

As a founding member society of the Academy, the AIUM understands the value of the Academy and our efforts to engage the imaging community. The Academy’s role is to ensure that medical imaging research has a seat at the table as we advocate on Capitol Hill for consistent funding at the NIH and across government agencies.

At the Academy, we encourage our advocates to engage as individuals or in cohorts with other stakeholders from their institution or in their states. We provide the tools and resources advocates need, and the Academy will facilitate meetings with you.

Four men posing for a photo in front of an American flag backdrop, smiling and dressed in professional attire.

However, even the Academy collaborates with larger organizations that engage with the entire research enterprise ecosystem, including clinicians, researchers, advocates, and patients. It’s a way to remind elected officials that, as a community, we speak with one voice. We have found through the years that when the entire research ecosystem comes together to advocate for the NIH, our message is heard, and Congress responds.

Rally for Medical Research

One such group the Academy engages with is the Rally for Medical Research (the Rally). The Rally started in 2013 when NIH funding was facing extreme budget cuts. Since then, the Rally has been instrumental in turning the tide from deep budget cuts to robust, sustained, and predictable research funding.

A rally scene with a speaker at a podium urging support for medical research, surrounded by audience members holding signs that read 'SUPPORT MEDICAL RESEARCH: YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT' and 'INCREASE NIH FUNDING NOW.'

Each September, Rally participants carry the call to Capitol Hill, urging Congress to provide robust and predictable NIH funding. In these face-to-face meetings, lawmakers see what is at stake. Without sustained investment, progress halts, trials close, and patients pay the price. In 2025, the Rally will once again take over Capitol Hill with close to 500 patients, clinicians, and researchers participating. Each voice will bring an understanding of what the need is, what the opportunity can be, and why this investment is so important.

So, whether you advocate on your own or join with a larger effort, consistent individual advocacy can keep NIH’s importance in the spotlight and help sustain momentum.

For more information about the Academy, please view this brief clip about The Value of the Academy, visit our website at www.acadrad.org, and I welcome you to contact me at Rcruea@acadrad.org.

*By the time this is printed, the deadline for participating in this year’s Rally will have passed. The Rally will be held on September 18, 2025.

Renee L. Cruea, MPA, is the Executive Director of the Academy for Radiology & Biomedical Imaging Research.

Ovarian Cancer Awareness: Risk Factors and Screening Techniques

Posted on September 2, 2025 by aium1952

There’s nothing lighthearted about ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is often referred to as a ‘silent killer’ because it is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, when treatment is less likely to result in a complete cure and full recovery.

Why is a reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) specialist discussing ovarian cancer? While this disease most commonly affects postmenopausal women over the age of 60 who have completed childbearing, about 10% of cases occur in women under 45, during their reproductive years. This makes ovarian cancer a highly relevant concern within my field.

Although the exact causes of ovarian cancer remain unclear, in women of reproductive age, it is often linked to genetic mutations such as BRCA1, BRCA2, or Lynch syndrome. Other contributing factors may include conditions like endometriosis (particularly endometriomas, where endometrial tissue grows within the ovary), or a family history of ovarian, breast, or colorectal cancer, even in the absence of a confirmed genetic mutation.

There is a common misconception that fertility treatments cause ovarian cancer; however, this is not supported by evidence. It’s important to clarify that women undergoing fertility treatments often have underlying conditions such as endometriosis, which are independently associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer. The link is one of association, not causation. In fact, ovarian cancer is occasionally first detected by reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) specialists during the course of evaluating or treating infertility.

If you have a strong family history of cancer, talk to your doctor about genetic counseling and start early surveillance.

So, how should we approach surveillance for ovarian cancer? Pelvic exams alone are limited in sensitivity and often cannot detect ovarian masses smaller than 5 cm, even in experienced hands. While serum markers such as CA-125, CA 19-9, CA 72-4, CA 15-3, HE4 (human epididymis protein 4), and CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) are more specific to malignancy, they are not all specific to ovarian cancer and are typically only ordered after a mass has already been identified. These markers are not routinely used in serial testing for early detection.

In contrast, imaging, particularly transvaginal ultrasound with Doppler flow analysis, can detect even small ovarian abnormalities and raise early suspicion for malignancy. When performed regularly in reproductive-age women at risk, ultrasound may aid in detecting ovarian cancer in its earliest stages, when it remains confined to the ovary and before local or distant spread occurs.

Why, then, are physicians hesitant to adopt ultrasound for early ovarian cancer detection? First, from a financial standpoint, performing annual ultrasounds on all women of reproductive age is not cost-effective. Second, because ovarian cancer is relatively rare in this population, the low incidence reduces the test’s sensitivity and positive predictive value, ultimately limiting its effectiveness as a widespread screening tool.

Still, it is essential for physicians to recognize when an ovarian lesion displays features suggestive of malignancy. Two diagnostic tools have significantly advanced the role of ultrasound in evaluating ovarian conditions: the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) group, established in 1999, and the Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System (O-RADS), introduced in 2021. Both systems provide structured frameworks for assessing and scoring ultrasound characteristics of ovarian lesions, offering a more objective and standardized interpretation.

When an ultrasound-detected lesion raises suspicion for malignancy, further imaging, such as CT or MRI, can offer additional detail, help identify local or distant spread, and support initial staging to guide surgical planning.

As a reproductive endocrinologist, I feel a strong responsibility to support early detection during initial ultrasounds. Ongoing ultrasound surveillance empowers women to take an active role in advocating for their health.

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, but awareness should be year-round. Speak up about symptoms, intensify surveillance, support research, donate, or simply share this post, as every action counts.

Ovarian cancer may be elusive, but knowledge empowers, and imaging provides proof. Advocate for your health. Support the women in your life. Early detection saves lives, and awareness is the first step.

Laura Detti, MD, is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Division and Fellowship Director of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Baylor College of Medicine, and Chief of Reproductive Endocrinology Services at the Pavilion for Women at Texas Children’s Hospital. She is also a leader of the AIUM’s Gynecologic Ultrasound Community.

Portrait of Laura Detti, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist, wearing a white lab coat with badges from Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital.

AI as a Clinical Assistant: Enhancing MSK Ultrasound Interpretation and Reporting

Posted on August 19, 2025 by aium1952

If you haven’t yet tried using an AI assistant in your clinical practice, now is the time to start.

We are standing at the threshold of a shift in how we work. The rise of large language models (LLMs)—text-based AI systems like Chat GPT that can interpret, generate, and summarize content—offers clinicians a remarkable opportunity: to work faster, think broader, and document smarter. I want to be clear that these tools are still evolving, but their usefulness in the day-to-day reality of musculoskeletal ultrasound is already tangible, even resulting in substantial changes.

In my own sports medicine practice, AI has become a quiet but powerful assistant. It’s not replacing clinical expertise; it’s extending it. Over time, I’ve found a sweet spot—not in making decisions for me, but in helping me think more clearly. One of the most practical ways I use LLMs is for differential generation. I paste in my ultrasound findings and impression and ask for a possible differential diagnosis list. The results are consistently thought-provoking. Typically, it reflects five or six diagnoses I already had in mind; throws in a couple I disagree with outright; and adds two or three that surprise me, and deserve a closer look. Especially in complex or uncertain cases that prompt a pause and consideration of something new that can be invaluable.

Some mainstream AI platforms even promise image interpretation. My experience? These are not yet ready for prime time. Results can be inconsistent; accuracy is still highly variable. But for text-based assistance—where language, not pixels, is the primary input—LLMs can make the difference.

One area where AI shines is in reducing the friction of tedious or repetitive tasks. Prior authorizations, for example, used to eat up valuable time and mental bandwidth. Now, I can copy a de-identified clinical summary and the insurance denial into an LLM and request a short appeal letter. It generates a polished draft that often needs only light editing. Occasionally, I’ll even ask the AI why it thinks the request was denied—it often gives helpful insight I can use in peer-to-peer calls.

The same applies to documentation templates. I’ve built standard templates for common joints, but what about when a patient presents with something less routine, such as a region I haven’t scanned often enough to have a template, like the sternoclavicular joint? I give the model an existing template and ask it to adapt it to the new joint. The results? Fast, accurate, and easy to refine. Here’s a quick look at how I use AI in daily practice:

Differential support: Expands my diagnostic horizons, especially in unusual or complex cases.
Template generation: Converts existing structures into less common regions or patient types with minimal effort.
Prior auths & letters: Speeds up appeal writing; reduces emotional exhaustion from repetitive documentation.
Note polishing: Transforms shorthand findings into clean, communicative notes for specialists or patients.

But let’s be clear: none of this replaces the responsibility we carry as clinicians. AI is a powerful tool, but it must be used wisely. A recent study from MIT (Your Brain on ChatGPT) found that users writing essays with AI support showed lower brainwave activity, suggesting a reduction in active cognitive processing. The lesson here is sharp: when we outsource too much thinking, our ability to reason, synthesize, and create diminishes.

We cannot allow that to happen in medicine. What we document, what we diagnose—these remain our responsibility. AI can offer suggestions, but only we can make decisions. Every recommendation must be filtered through our personal, sound clinical judgment.

So yes—use AI to sharpen your workflow, expand your thinking, and save time. But use it with intention. Let it challenge your thinking, not do your thinking. Let it shape your creativity, not replace it. When used well, AI doesn’t flatten our clinical voice; it amplifies it. It helps us become more precise, more efficient, and, most importantly, more present with the people we serve.

References: Kosmyna N, Hauptmann E, Yuan YT, et al. Your brain on ChatGPT: accumulation of cognitive debt when using an AI assistant for essay writing task. Preprint. Submitted June 10, 2025. Accessed 7/8/2025. Available from: https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.08872

James Wilcox, MD, RMSK, is a family medicine and sports medicine physician in the United Arab Emirates, where he is the Director of the ProMotion Sports Medicine Clinic at Specialized Rehabilitation Hospital in Abu Dhabi, and Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at UAE University..

This posting has been edited for length and clarity. The opinions expressed in this posting are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the view of their employer or the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.

Ensuring High Standards in Ultrasound Practice: Building a Strong Personnel QA Program

Posted on August 5, 2025 by aium1952

Quality ultrasound imaging begins with the people behind the probe. Whether you’re a small clinic or a large multi-specialty practice, developing and maintaining a strong Personnel Quality Assurance (QA) program is vital to ensuring safe, consistent, and accurate ultrasound exams.

A comprehensive QA program evaluates the performance of all ultrasound personnel, including sonographers, interpreting physicians, and other involved staff, through regular, structured peer reviews. These evaluations go beyond technical ability to include documentation accuracy, adherence to protocols, and diagnostic performance.

At the heart of any successful QA initiative is leadership. Oversight is typically provided by an Ultrasound Director (often a physician or advanced practitioner, depending on the setting) alongside a Lead Sonographer or technologist. This team is responsible for managing assessments, tracking competency, and guiding staff development.

Reviews should be conducted at least annually, with many practices opting for quarterly or semi-annual check-ins. These reviews may also be triggered by events such as new staff onboarding, changes in equipment or protocols, or the identification of performance issues. During evaluations, practices should assess metrics such as image quality, labeling, anatomical coverage, report accuracy, and compliance with established guidelines.

But what happens when gaps or deficiencies are identified? A strong QA program doesn’t just identify problems; it addresses them constructively. Feedback, targeted training, and follow-up evaluations are all essential components of continuous improvement. Training might include one-on-one mentorship, workshops, or online modules, and should be tailored to specific performance concerns.

To maintain momentum, practices should reinforce learning through periodic reviews, mentorship, and easy access to updated educational materials. When QA becomes a regular part of performance discussions and professional development, it creates a culture of accountability and excellence.

Ultimately, a well-structured Personnel QA program not only ensures compliance with accreditation requirements, such as those from the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), but also enhances patient care and safety. Through thoughtful leadership, structured reviews, and a commitment to ongoing education, ultrasound practices can raise the bar for quality and deliver better outcomes for every patient they serve.

Catherine Knight, BS, RDMS, is the Senior Accreditation Manager for the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM).

The Scan

The official blog of the AIUM