Dear Ultrasound Insider,
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is employed routinely -- and to substantial clinical benefit -- around the world for radiology applications. However, in the U.S., regulatory clearance has remained limited to cardiology indications.
The seemingly interminable delay has long stuck in the craw of ultrasound contrast experts, many of whom now advocate that this valuable problem-solving tool be used off-label in the U.S. There's never been a better time: CEUS seems well-positioned to benefit from growing questions over radiation exposure and the risk of contrast-induced nephrotoxicity from contrast-enhanced CT, as well as concerns about the safety of gadolinium-based MR contrast agents.
In a presentation at the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) annual meeting in New York City, Dr. Michelle Robbin from the University of Alabama at Birmingham shared some tips for integrating CEUS into your practice now. Our coverage of her presentation is this newsletter's Insider Exclusive, which you have access to before our regular members.
Speaking of CEUS, another presentation at AIUM 2016 reported that the combination of contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy and medially directed sextant biopsy was the best biopsy approach for the vital task of detecting high-grade prostate cancers. Click here for our coverage.
Also at AIUM 2016, researchers shared how a focused cardiac ultrasound exam yielded a faster and more accurate diagnosis for thoracic aortic dissection, also known as the "Great Masquerader." You can access our article here.
Meanwhile, Dr. Stamatia Destounis of Elizabeth Wende Breast Care in Rochester, NY, reported that ultrasound screening in women with dense breasts can identify invasive cancers not seen on mammography, and that performance improves with experience. What else did the outpatient breast center learn during its second year of providing breast ultrasound screening for women with dense breasts? Click here to find out.
If widely adopted, prenatal ultrasound could significantly affect half of maternal deaths in the developing world, according to Dr. Alfred Abuhamad of Eastern Virginia Medical School. Click here for our coverage of the plenary session at AIUM 2016.
In big industry news this month, Canon completed a $5.9 billion acquisition of Toshiba Medical Systems. Click here to get all of the details in our report by Editor-in-Chief Brian Casey.
Also, a quantitative ultrasound computer-aided detection algorithm is showing promise for diagnosing several diseases at once. International Editor Eric Barnes has our coverage.
Finally, Italian researchers found that CEUS is useful for characterizing small renal masses that are indeterminate on contrast-enhanced CT or MRI. Click here to learn more.
Is there a topic you'd like to see covered in your Ultrasound Community? As always, please feel free to drop me a line.
