Dear AuntMinnie Member,
Researchers from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia have produced good results using a new technique for contrast-enhanced ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate. They believe it could yield more accurate biopsy results with less patient morbidity.
The TJU team examined contrast-enhanced ultrasound microflow imaging (MFI), which uses high-power "flash" pulses of ultrasound to destroy contrast microbubbles, while low-power pulses demonstrate replenishment. Staff writer Erik L. Ridley reports on the research in our Ultrasound Digital Community.
The researchers compared the technique with systematic sextant biopsy, which has been used for prostate biopsy since 1989 but carries a high miss rate. Other newer biopsy techniques are more accurate but have high pathology costs and patient morbidity rates.
The MFI-guided technique detected cancer at a rate twice that of systematic sextant biopsy. Read how it was done by clicking here.
In another article we're featuring this week, researchers at Columbia University in New York City compared echocardiography results to Framingham Risk Scores, and found that the scores frequently underestimated the risk of cardiovascular disease. They recommended that ultrasound exams be used to make cardiovascular event prediction more accurate. Get the details by clicking here.
Get these stories and more in our Ultrasound Digital Community, at ultrasound.auntminnie.com.
All of us at AuntMinnie.com wish you and yours happy holidays!
