Abstract
Deslandes A, Croft A and Panuccio C. Sonography 2021. DOI: 10.1002/sono.12294
A comprehensive guide on how to use three-dimensional (3D) scanning for gynae imaging, describing the pitfalls and how to correct them. Good 3D ultrasound images are used to highlight the major points.
Manivel V, Herbert DG, Kitson GI, et al. AJUM 2021. DOI: 10.1002/AJUM.12283
In the results of this survey carried out at the start of the COVID19 pandemic of Australian Emergency Departments (ED), 88% of clinicians were prepared to scan patients with COVID19. Only 26% of clinicians had training on how to perform the ultrasound safely in the ED, although 77% had an ultrasound machine in the “red zone” where patients with COVID19 were seen. The survey gives information on the level of cleaning and disinfection used and lack of guidelines available at the time. The authors recommend more investment to support training in point of care ultrasound and protocol development.
Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), Norton ME, Cheng Y, et al. Am J Obstet 2021;225(5): B2–B35.
A good teaching aid for student sonographers and obstetric ultrasound practitioners, with most fetal genitourinary anomalies covered. Excellent ultrasound images are used to help demonstrate and recognize the anomalies.
Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), Ghidini A, Ghandhi M, et al. Am J Obstet 2021. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.11.001
A good reminder of the risks involved in IVF pregnancies for the obstetric ultrasound practitioner. Timing of ultrasound scans and other tests are discussed, along with the evidence behind the recommendations.
Frey A, Straub H and Lijewski V. J Diagn Med Sonogr 2021;37(6):547–554.
Obstetric ultrasound practitioners in the United States were surveyed to discover whether there were policies in place to limit the number of observers in the obstetric scan room and cover recording of the scan. In all, 38% of the respondents had a policy in place to limit the number of observers in the ultrasound room and 85% had a recording policy. Comments were made when the practitioners did not agree with the policies in place and raised concerns regarding distractions while performing the ultrasound. Further development of policies with the service users is recommended. The demographics of the ultrasound practitioners are similar to those in the United Kingdom.
Ulrich C and Andreasen Struijk LNS. Int J Ind Ergon 2021. DOI: 10.1016/j.ergon.2021.103224
A probe housing was designed with a strain gauge attached to record the forces used while scanning obstetric patients. The pressures would then be used in the design of robot-assisted ultrasound equipment. Data were collected during 40 obstetric scans performed by 7 sonographers and 2 doctors. The maximum force used was 37.63 Newtons. More force was used when the patient had an increased body mass index and when the fetus was in a “difficult” position. The two doctors had more experience in scanning than the sonographers, but this was not found to be significant in the force used.
Necas M and Ferrar D. J Vasc Ultrasound 2021. DOI: 10.1177/15443167211043881
In this case study, the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is advocated, to rule out the presence of an endoleak. The aortic sac had increased in size and the presence of flow seen on Doppler ultrasound were not conclusive. CEUS availability is discussed for a one stop approach for patients.
Wang H, Zheng P, Wang X, et al. J Clin Ultrasound 2021;49(9):978–983.
Measurements from 98 patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) were used in this prospective study. All scans were performed by one sonographer and used the same protocol with the patient lying supine, looking at the right lobe of the liver intercostally, taking 5 shear wave measurements of each size. The Q-box (quantification package) size was changed from 10 mm, 20 mm and 30 mm. The measurements using the different Q-box size in the same patient were found to be good. However, in patients who had a liver stiffness values (LSV) of less than 6.4 kPa (kilopascal), a 10 mm box size gave the most reliable measurements. The authors recommend using a 10 mm box size, to standardize the protocol.
Wang X, Joyce C and Kuipers J. J Clin Ultrasound 2021;49(9):987–991.
Commercial phantoms for training of ultrasound-guided biopsies are expensive. Gelatin phantoms are often made, but the placement of the object for biopsy can be seen, so do not mimic real-life where the location of the mass needs to be identified by ultrasound before the biopsy. The authors of this article used mung bean starch, which is cheap and opaque. Target masses such as the usual grapes and olives can be suspended at different levels within the phantom. There is a good pictorial guide for the resulting images produced comparing the commercial phantom with a gelatin and the mung bean flour phantom.
Meshaka R, Whittam F, Guessoum M, et al. Radiology 2021. DOI: 10.1148/radiol.211737
In pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporarily associated with SARs-COV-2 (PIMS-TS), children present with abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting, as they might for appendicitis. In this retrospective study, the results of abdominal ultrasound in 102 patients have been examined. The commonest feature was ascites (64%), periportal echogenicity was present in 21% and gallbladder fossa oedema was seen in 18%. Other features are discussed as well as resolution of these on follow up scan.