Echoes An audit of a hospital-based Doppler ultrasound quality control protocol using a commercial string Doppler phantom. Cournane S, Fagan A, Browne J. Phys Med: Eur J Med Phys 2013, 1724-191X
Effects of high-fat diet and losartan on renal cortical blood flow using contrast ultrasound imaging. Decle`ves A, Rychak J, Smith D, et al. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2013;305:F1343–51
This team from Dublin identifies worrying maximum velocity inaccuracies produced by a Doppler phantom, indicating that this is still an issue even though it was reported back in the 1990s by numerous investigators. They report a lack of quality assurance data for Doppler applications and recommend multicentre studies, particularly since changes in maximum velocity may seem indicative of element damage or dropout.
As the number of cases of obesity-related kidney disease rises, this study investigates the use of microbubble contrast imaging on renal microvascular perfusion in a mouse model. It concludes that CEUS is a robust and sensitive technique for evaluating changes in renal perfusion and that this in turn may be useful for evaluating obesity-related kidney disease.
Point-of-care ultrasound use over six-month training period in Rwandan district hospitals. Henwood P, Rempell J, Liteplo A, et al. Afr J Emerg Med 2013; 3(Suppl): S5–S6 This study investigates the effect of point-of-care ultrasound on a remote population in Rwanda. After a 10-day training programme, participants’ use of ultrasound was recorded and the quality of their images was measured. Introduction of this imaging modality had a significant impact on patient management, particularly within the general abdominal setting. Fetal cerebral imaging – ultrasound vs. MRI: an update. Blondiaux E, Garel C. Acta Radiol 2013;54:1046–54 Here is an informative and educational paper on the advantages and limitations of MRI and ultrasound for imaging the fetal head. Both have a place in aiding accurate diagnosis and therefore help when it comes to prenatal counselling. Noninvasive lipoma size reduction using high-intensity focused ultrasound. Shemer A, Brawer S, Amichi B, et al. Dermatol Surg 2013;39:1446–51 Another promising application of HIFU. This small study involving nine patients investigates using HIFU as a method of lipoma size reduction. Results indicate that HIFU may be a safe, well-tolerated alternative treatment when surgical excision is not appropriate. Patients’ understanding of medical terminology used in the breast clinic. O’Connell R, Hartridge-Lambert S, Din N, et al. Breast 2013;22:836–8 In a UK setting, this team investigates 95 patients’ understanding of medical terminology during consultations. Although the terms ‘benign’ and ‘malignant’ are understood well, it seems few of the patients know what a radiographer or radiologist is. Even fewer understand the term ‘ultrasound’. This is a timely reminder that language health professionals may take for granted is not always well understood by patients. Adherence to criteria for transvaginal ultrasound imaging and measurement of cervical length. Iams J, Grobman W, Lozitska A, et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2013;209:365.e1–5 This very interesting study from Ohio looks at the quality of nearly 5000 images of the cervix submitted by 327 sonographers. Since the sonographers were submitting images in the hope of being accepted to participate in a trial related to cervical imaging, one assumes they submitted their very best efforts, yet only 83% met the required standards on first submission. The authors (all 17 of them) recommend increased attention to education.
3D ultrasound system to investigate intraventricular haemorrhage in preterm neonates. Kishimoto J, de Ribaupierre S, Lee D, et al. Phys Med Biol 2013;58:7513–26 This Canadian-based team has developed a 3D ultrasound system, which has the potential to assess safely and accurately the volume of intraventricular haemorrhage in preterm neonates. It demonstrates reliability and reproducibility and may be useful for monitoring ventricular size and haemorrhage progression over time. Effects of simulation-based practice on focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) window identification, acquisition, and diagnosis. Chung G, Gyllenhammer R, Baker E, et al. Mil Med 2013;178 (10 Suppl):87–97 This team from Los Angeles builds on earlier findings published in 2011. In the current study, they find that participants’ skills in the setting of FAST scans are improved with training aids. Classroombased practise seems to improve psychomotor skills, while simulator practise seems to improve image interpretation abilities. Carotid artery atherosclerosis is correlated with cognitive impairment in an elderly urban Chinese non-stroke population. Xiang J, Zhang T, Yang Q, et al. J Clin Neurosci 2013;20:1571–5 Having investigated just over 2000 patients, this team suggests that cognitive ability is reduced in those with carotid artery plaque and a thickened intima-media layer. ‘‘Soft, hard, or just right?’’ Applications and limitations of axialstrain sonoelastography and shear-wave elastography in the assessment of tendon injuries. Ooi C, Malliaras P, Schneider M, et al. Skeletal Radiol. Epub ahead of print August 2013. DOI: 10.1007/s00256-013-1695-3 Axial-strain sonoelastography and shear-wave elastography have potential for identifying tendinopathy and for measuring recovery after surgery. However, results from larger studies are needed before these techniques are accepted commonly into clinical practice. Is post-mortem ultrasonography a useful tool for forensic purposes? Charlier P, Chaillot P, Watier L, et al. Med Sci Law 2013;53:227–34 Although CT post-mortems (virtual autopsy) may be taking the developed world by storm right now, it seems ultrasound postmortems are a long way behind. Predictably, rigor mortis and putrefactive gases are barriers to good organ visualisation.
Hazel Edwards DOI: 10.1177/1742271X13515558
Ultrasound 2014; 22: 73
Effects of high-fat diet and losartan on renal cortical blood flow using contrast ultrasound imaging. Decle`ves A, Rychak J, Smith D, et al. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2013;305:F1343–51
This team from Dublin identifies worrying maximum velocity inaccuracies produced by a Doppler phantom, indicating that this is still an issue even though it was reported back in the 1990s by numerous investigators. They report a lack of quality assurance data for Doppler applications and recommend multicentre studies, particularly since changes in maximum velocity may seem indicative of element damage or dropout.
As the number of cases of obesity-related kidney disease rises, this study investigates the use of microbubble contrast imaging on renal microvascular perfusion in a mouse model. It concludes that CEUS is a robust and sensitive technique for evaluating changes in renal perfusion and that this in turn may be useful for evaluating obesity-related kidney disease.
Point-of-care ultrasound use over six-month training period in Rwandan district hospitals. Henwood P, Rempell J, Liteplo A, et al. Afr J Emerg Med 2013; 3(Suppl): S5–S6 This study investigates the effect of point-of-care ultrasound on a remote population in Rwanda. After a 10-day training programme, participants’ use of ultrasound was recorded and the quality of their images was measured. Introduction of this imaging modality had a significant impact on patient management, particularly within the general abdominal setting. Fetal cerebral imaging – ultrasound vs. MRI: an update. Blondiaux E, Garel C. Acta Radiol 2013;54:1046–54 Here is an informative and educational paper on the advantages and limitations of MRI and ultrasound for imaging the fetal head. Both have a place in aiding accurate diagnosis and therefore help when it comes to prenatal counselling. Noninvasive lipoma size reduction using high-intensity focused ultrasound. Shemer A, Brawer S, Amichi B, et al. Dermatol Surg 2013;39:1446–51 Another promising application of HIFU. This small study involving nine patients investigates using HIFU as a method of lipoma size reduction. Results indicate that HIFU may be a safe, well-tolerated alternative treatment when surgical excision is not appropriate. Patients’ understanding of medical terminology used in the breast clinic. O’Connell R, Hartridge-Lambert S, Din N, et al. Breast 2013;22:836–8 In a UK setting, this team investigates 95 patients’ understanding of medical terminology during consultations. Although the terms ‘benign’ and ‘malignant’ are understood well, it seems few of the patients know what a radiographer or radiologist is. Even fewer understand the term ‘ultrasound’. This is a timely reminder that language health professionals may take for granted is not always well understood by patients. Adherence to criteria for transvaginal ultrasound imaging and measurement of cervical length. Iams J, Grobman W, Lozitska A, et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2013;209:365.e1–5 This very interesting study from Ohio looks at the quality of nearly 5000 images of the cervix submitted by 327 sonographers. Since the sonographers were submitting images in the hope of being accepted to participate in a trial related to cervical imaging, one assumes they submitted their very best efforts, yet only 83% met the required standards on first submission. The authors (all 17 of them) recommend increased attention to education.
3D ultrasound system to investigate intraventricular haemorrhage in preterm neonates. Kishimoto J, de Ribaupierre S, Lee D, et al. Phys Med Biol 2013;58:7513–26 This Canadian-based team has developed a 3D ultrasound system, which has the potential to assess safely and accurately the volume of intraventricular haemorrhage in preterm neonates. It demonstrates reliability and reproducibility and may be useful for monitoring ventricular size and haemorrhage progression over time. Effects of simulation-based practice on focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) window identification, acquisition, and diagnosis. Chung G, Gyllenhammer R, Baker E, et al. Mil Med 2013;178 (10 Suppl):87–97 This team from Los Angeles builds on earlier findings published in 2011. In the current study, they find that participants’ skills in the setting of FAST scans are improved with training aids. Classroombased practise seems to improve psychomotor skills, while simulator practise seems to improve image interpretation abilities. Carotid artery atherosclerosis is correlated with cognitive impairment in an elderly urban Chinese non-stroke population. Xiang J, Zhang T, Yang Q, et al. J Clin Neurosci 2013;20:1571–5 Having investigated just over 2000 patients, this team suggests that cognitive ability is reduced in those with carotid artery plaque and a thickened intima-media layer. ‘‘Soft, hard, or just right?’’ Applications and limitations of axialstrain sonoelastography and shear-wave elastography in the assessment of tendon injuries. Ooi C, Malliaras P, Schneider M, et al. Skeletal Radiol. Epub ahead of print August 2013. DOI: 10.1007/s00256-013-1695-3 Axial-strain sonoelastography and shear-wave elastography have potential for identifying tendinopathy and for measuring recovery after surgery. However, results from larger studies are needed before these techniques are accepted commonly into clinical practice. Is post-mortem ultrasonography a useful tool for forensic purposes? Charlier P, Chaillot P, Watier L, et al. Med Sci Law 2013;53:227–34 Although CT post-mortems (virtual autopsy) may be taking the developed world by storm right now, it seems ultrasound postmortems are a long way behind. Predictably, rigor mortis and putrefactive gases are barriers to good organ visualisation.
Hazel Edwards DOI: 10.1177/1742271X13515558
Ultrasound 2014; 22: 73
