Abstract
Paladini D, Malinger G, Birnbaum R, et al. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2021. DOI: 10.1002/uog.23616
A comprehensive guide on how to perform neurosonography is described, with excellent ultrasound images demonstrating the anatomy seen at different gestational ages.
Harrison G, Kraus B, Martins Dos Santos R, et al. Radiography 2021. DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2021.02.003
In the United Kingdom, radiographers have been performing and reporting on ultrasound scans since the late 1970s but ultrasound practice in Europe is different. It is mainly performed by radiologists or speciality consultants. Surprisingly, more than 50% of respondents of this survey confirmed that there were radiographers trained in ultrasound, the others reported that lack of support from medical professionals and few training opportunities limited staff development.
Dalili D, Mackay J, Robinson P, et al. Clin Radiol 2021. DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2021.04.005
Most trainees (61%) felt that they lost training sessions to other radiology trainees, physiotherapists, rheumatologists and sonographers training in MSK. Although a majority (63%) were happy with the training that they received, others were not. It may not have helped that the survey was completed during a time when COVID-19 had altered the training schedules for radiology registrars. MSK ultrasound training is difficult, and a robust training scheme is needed for all trainee radiologists, which should follow the Royal College of Radiologist guidelines.
Jones CM, Lyles A and Foley KG. Clin Radiol 2021;
This survey was completed in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, to see how endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) was being used in patients with oesophageal cancer. Although EUS was widely available, its use was inconsistent across the country. More research is needed to assess the value of EUS and give an evidence base for its future use in the patient pathway.
Fujita A, Ryozawa S, Mizuide M, et al. J Clinl Med 2021. DOI: 10.3390/jcm10051076
A useful review article comparing the value of EUS for different types of pancreatic masses and lymph nodes. There is a good chart comparing features of different lesions, and this could be helpful to those starting to perform EUS.
Putz FJ, Pfister K, Bergler T, et al. Ultrasound Med Biol 2021;
In patients with arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) for haemodialysis, it is important that the AVF is patent and free of areas of narrowing or aneurysm. Here, 53 AVFs were examined using two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional tomographic ultrasound (3-D tUS). The 3-D tUS image was reconstructed using a separate system that works by using an electromagnetic positioning system and the 2-D images acquired. Power Doppler ultrasound images were also used to give a reconstructed view. Post reconstruction, two readers graded the images acquired independently of one another. 3-D reconstruction on the images was possible in all cases. There were 15 patients needing angiography, so further comparison was made. 3-D tUS was found to be as good as angiography and good at showing the whole length of the AVF, which can be difficult with conventional 2-D ultrasound.
Fischerova D, Garganese G, Reina H, et al. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2021;
This article describes the appearances of lymph nodes in the groin, both normal and abnormal, the images and schematic diagrams are helpful and easy to follow. One for the protocol folder and an essential read for trainees and ultrasound practitioners.
Lees C, Stampalija T and Hecher K. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2021. DOI: 10.1002/uog.23664
If you are missing the obstetric ultrasound debates that used to take place at the BMUS conference, this paper is for you. There is a clear description of both guidelines, the difference between them and where the evidence comes from for the use of Doppler of the ductus venosus and middle cerebral artery in the ISUOG guidelines.
Zhu Y, Lu M, Dai K-J, et al. Ultrasound Med Biol 2021. DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2021.04.013
Patients who had a diagnosis of cervical cancer were scanned a week before surgery using 2-D transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and 360° 3-D TVUS. Comparison was made to contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), looking for vaginal invasion in both sets of images, with readers blinded to the results of the comparative imaging. The sensitivity and specificity of 2-D TVUS was 75% and 75%. In six cases, the vaginal invasion was missed on the ultrasound. Using 3-D TVUS, the sensitivity was 100% and specificity 80%, with disagreement with the MRI in two cases. Post-operative specimens agreed with the 3-D TVUS findings in these two cases.
Brown A, Shah S, Dluzewski S, et al. Clin Radiol 2021. DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2021.04.010
Researchers have found that after immunisation against COVID-19, some patients may develop axillary lymphadenopathy in the arm in which they received the vaccination. Currently, management of patients is by following National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. However, the authors recommend looking at the clinical details for each patient as they present and being vigorous in follow up especially in high-risk patients. The role of ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance and positron emission tomography-CT are compared.