Dear Ultrasound Insider,
Ultrasound has emerged as a useful tool during the COVID-19 pandemic to diagnose and manage patients, thanks in large part to its portability and ease of use. Now, another of the modality's features -- a lack of ionizing radiation -- is emerging as a key advantage for imaging one of the most vulnerable patient populations: neonates.
Researchers from Wuhan, China, used lung ultrasound scans to diagnose and assess the severity of COVID-19 in infants who most likely were infected by their mothers. What's more, the clinicians developed a lung ultrasound scoring system to quantify the severity of the disease on the lungs of the neonates. Find out how well it worked in this edition's Insider Exclusive.
In related COVID news, heart complications like inflammatory heart disease have been reported after infection with the novel coronavirus. So what happens to athletes who have experienced COVID-19? Can they return to play? Fortunately, a new study has some reassuring findings.
People who have received COVID-19 vaccines have reported experiencing phenomena that are visible on imaging exams, and ultrasound is no exception. Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles described what to look for in a recent study.
In other important ultrasound news, new tools are becoming available to enhance the ability of novice users to perform diagnostic-quality point-of-care-ultrasound exams. Researchers from Northwestern University reported on their experience with an artificial intelligence-based software application that helped guide critical care physicians who had no experience performing ultrasound.
Plus, check out the following recent ultrasound stories:
- Nurses with no training in ultrasound were able to acquire echocardiography images with the guidance of AI-based software.
- Researchers from Spain used lung ultrasound scores to assess patients with COVID-19.
- A program in Nepal used echocardiography to screen kids for rheumatic heart disease, which is prevalent in many underdeveloped areas of the world.
- In a move that surprised no one, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force declined to recommend screening for carotid artery stenosis, reiterating its previous stance.
Find more articles like these by regularly visiting your Ultrasound Community!
