Dear AuntMinnie Member,
Is radiology losing control of musculoskeletal ultrasound to physicians in other specialties? And if so, does anyone in radiology care?
Those are a few of the questions proffered in a new study by researchers from Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) in Philadelphia. A TJU team examined the percentage of musculoskeletal ultrasound exams performed by different specialists and compared the changes over 10 years -- we're featuring their findings in an article by staff writer Erik L. Ridley in our Ultrasound Digital Community.
The researchers concluded that not only do radiologists have a smaller share of the MSK ultrasound pie than they did 10 years ago, but organized radiology doesn't appear interested in defending the few slices that are left. Find out why by clicking here.
In other news in the community, staff writer Eric Barnes filed a report from last week's Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium in San Francisco that hints that ultrasound could have a role in a focused pancreatic screening program.
Dutch researchers conducted a pilot study that used endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) to screen people at high risk of pancreatic cancer, such as those with a family history. They found that EUS could detect early lesions that are often precursors to pancreatic cancer -- in some cases before even CT and MRI could find them. Check out the story, which includes dynamic ultrasound clips, by clicking here.
Finally, learn about how ultrasound elastography could be useful in diagnosing rotator cuff tears in patients with painful shoulders.
Get these stories and more in our Ultrasound Digital Community at ultrasound.auntminnie.com.
