Tag Archives: ultrasound trends

Top 5 Posts of the Year: Insights and Innovations

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As the field of sonography continues to evolve, staying informed about the latest trends, challenges, and advancements is crucial for professionals and students alike. This year, we’ve seen remarkable developments in technology, education, and clinical practices that are shaping the future of diagnostic imaging. From groundbreaking innovations in neurosonography to the urgent call for more student training opportunities, these posts reflect the most impactful discussions and insights of the year.

Here are the top five blog posts on the Scan that captured attention and sparked conversations across the community this year.

Ultrasound to Differentiate Benign From Malignant Ovarian Tumors—Are We There Yet?
In this post, Jacques Abramowicz, MD, FACOG, FAIUM, discusses the role of ultrasound in distinguishing benign from malignant ovarian tumors, emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnostic criteria due to the high mortality associated with ovarian cancer. It reviews key ultrasound features, such as size, appearance, and blood flow characteristics, alongside advanced scoring systems like the IOTA Simple Rules, ADNEX model, and O-RADS framework, designed to assist non-experts in diagnosis. The post highlights the effectiveness of these methods in improving diagnostic accuracy while stressing the importance of expert evaluation in inconclusive cases.

Exploring the Future of Ultrasound: 5 Trends to Watch
Therese Cooper, BS, RDMS, highlights in this post five key trends shaping the future of ultrasound technology: portable and handheld devices, artificial intelligence integration, advancements in 3D and 4D imaging, increased use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), and therapeutic applications like noninvasive surgeries and targeted treatments. These innovations promise to make ultrasound more accessible, efficient, and versatile across diverse medical settings, further solidifying its role in modern healthcare. The future holds exciting possibilities for enhanced imaging and expanded diagnostic and therapeutic uses.

Fetal Neurosonography
This post by Eran Bornstein, MD, emphasizes the importance of fetal neurosonography, a specialized ultrasound technique for detailed assessment of fetal brain anatomy, offering superior diagnostic capacity compared to routine screenings. While effective in diagnosing various brain malformations and reassuring patients, its practice in the U.S. is limited due to a lack of training and awareness, and the absence of a dedicated procedural code. The post advocates for increased education, standardized guidelines, and broader access to this critical diagnostic tool.

Introduction to the Emerging Field of Post Cranioplasty Neurosonography
Another post by Eran Bornstein, MD, FACOG, FAIUM, along with Netanel Ben-Shalom MD, FNPS, and David Langer, MD, FNPS, introduces post-cranioplasty neurosonography, a cutting-edge field enabled by sonolucent cranial implants that provide an acoustic window for ultrasound imaging of the adult brain. These implants allow for detailed, real-time brain assessments in various planes, aiding in postoperative monitoring for complications such as hemorrhage, midline shift, and shunt evaluation. As the technology evolves, its integration into patient care holds potential to reduce reliance on radiation-heavy imaging modalities, improve point-of-care diagnostics, and lower healthcare costs, though questions remain about optimal implementation and clinician roles.

Getting Sonography Students Hands-on Experience
In this post from 2022, Kathryn A. Gill, MS, RTR, RDMS, highlights the urgent need for OB/GYN practices to provide hands-on training opportunities for sonography students to ensure a steady pipeline of skilled professionals in the field. Overcrowded schedules and burnout among current sonographers are limiting student rotations, potentially jeopardizing the future workforce. The author calls for creative solutions and collaboration within the sonography community to integrate students into clinical environments, stressing that this effort is critical to maintaining high standards of OB sonography care.

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Exploring the Future of Ultrasound: 5 Trends to Watch

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Ultrasound technology has come a long way since its inception and continues to evolve at a rapid pace. As we look ahead to the near future, it’s clear that ultrasound will play an even more vital role in healthcare. In this blog post, we’ll explore 5 trends (in no particular order) that are set to shape the field of ultrasound in the coming years.

1. Portable and Handheld Ultrasound Devices

The trend of portable and handheld ultrasound devices is on the rise. In the past, ultrasound machines were hundreds of pounds, carted around on wheels, and costly to manufacture. These new, compact, and lightweight devices offer healthcare professionals the convenience of conducting ultrasound examinations at the patient’s bedside, in remote areas, or during emergency situations, and wearable devices will become part of the ultrasound tool kit. Their affordability and ease of use make them accessible to a broader range of healthcare providers, expanding the potential applications of ultrasound. I predict that, under a doctor’s care and orders, the ways in which ultrasound is used will expand!

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration

AI is revolutionizing the field of medical imaging, and ultrasound is no exception; however, sonographers and doctors are not going anywhere. AI algorithms can assist in image analysis, automate measurements, enhance quantitative imaging, and aid in the detection of abnormalities. In the near future, we can anticipate more sophisticated AI integration into ultrasound systems, which will not only enhance diagnostic accuracy but also improve workflow efficiency. AI will play a significant role in making ultrasound more accessible and reliable in terms of scanning, reading images, and delivering accurate results.

3. 3D and 4D Imaging

Three-dimensional (3D) and real-time 3D (4D) ultrasound imaging will continue to advance, providing clinicians with more detailed and interactive views of anatomical structures. This trend will be particularly valuable in obstetrics for capturing fetal development and in various other medical specialties where enhanced visualization and quantification are crucial. Expect to see more applications for complex anatomical assessments and dynamic studies.

4. Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS)

Point-of-care ultrasound, or POCUS, is transforming the way medical professionals diagnose and manage patients. POCUS is expected to see increased adoption in various clinical settings, including emergency medicine, anesthesiology, primary care, and critical care. As training programs expand, more healthcare providers will be equipped to use POCUS for rapid and accurate assessments, which can lead to improved patient care and outcomes on the spot. With increased adoption, interest in ultrasound practice accreditation in this area is rising.

5. Therapeutic Ultrasound Applications

Beyond its diagnostic role, ultrasound is making great advances in therapeutic applications. Techniques like High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) are being employed for noninvasive surgeries, cancer treatments, and targeted drug delivery. In the coming years, we can expect to see further developments in therapeutic ultrasound, offering less invasive treatment options for a wide range of medical conditions and increasing the potential for ultrasound theranostics.

The future of ultrasound is incredibly promising with these 5 trends at the forefront of its evolution. From portable devices and AI integration to advanced imaging techniques and expanding applications in point-of-care and therapeutics, ultrasound is set to become even more integral to modern healthcare. Stay tuned as these trends continue to shape the landscape of medical imaging and patient care. We’re excited to witness the many possibilities that lie ahead for this versatile technology.

Therese Cooper, BS, RDMS, is a sonographer and the Director of Accreditation at the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.