Abstract
This issue is the last of 2012 and the last with me as editor-in-chief. After six years on the journal, first as assistant editor, then more recently as editor-in-chief, it is time for someone else to manage the publication and I am delighted to introduce retired physicist Dr Kevin Martin as my successor. His field of expertise lies in ultrasound instrumentation, physics and safety. In addition, he has been an active member of the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) for many years and is a past president of the Society. He has my total support and I wish him every success with the journal. In addition to my good wishes for Kevin, I will take this opportunity to thank some of the key players who have supported me in my editorial role. These people include of course the deputy editors, Drs Jacinta Browne and Diane DeFriend and Professor John Hossack, the team at RSM Press, and also special thanks to Dr Colin Deane and Professor Paul Sidhu who have both been an invaluable source of advice to me on so many occasions.
There is another announcement to make and that is the welcome arrival of a new deputy editor, Mr Stephen Wolstenhulme, lecturer in diagnostic imaging at the University of Leeds. Stephen's contributions to the journal as an author go back a long way and are well respected. He will be an asset and will work closely with the rest of the editorial team over the months ahead.
This issue has an ectopic pregnancy theme and offers a timely refresher on a condition encountered frequently by many of our readers in their daily practice. Perhaps surprisingly, the last full update on ectopic appearances published in Ultrasound was from radiologist Anne-Marie Coady from Hull, seven years ago. Two comprehensive papers by Bolaji, and Bolaji and co-workers discuss first the usefulness of ultrasound in detecting ectopic pregnancy and then, in the second paper, they focus specifically on cervical ectopic appearances.
Robson et al. provide an excellent review on the likelihood of a renal or retroperitoneal tumour coexisting with a scrotal varicocele. In the absence of national recommendations this paper offers some guidance on whether there is value in extending a scrotal ultrasound examination to include kidneys and retroperitoneal space in the presence of varicocele. My experience is that extending the examination increases the time by very little, therefore it seems to me best practice and safe practice to do so. In addition, I can now quote this paper as defence, if required, for my actions!
An interesting case report by Chiu and Hauff focuses on ultrasound appearances of eosinophilic gastroenteritis in two patients, and a physiology team from California describe a novel application of ultrasound in ulnar nerve assessment.
Make the most of Dr Mike Weston's Echoes at the back of this issue since he has finally chosen to step down from this commitment. We have enjoyed Mike's informative and often oblique take on what's new in the journals for at least 12 years so, despite inviting him to continue, it was difficult to put forward a compelling argument to make him feel guilty and stay. Many thanks to him for his contribution. The journal simply won't be the same without him although at least he remains a member of our Editorial Board.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the BMUS annual scientific meeting in Telford in just a few weeks’ time, where we will be announcing the winner of the ‘Best paper written by a student’ 2012 competition. The scientific programme looks excellent and has an increased number of interactive sessions, which have proven popular with delegates in the past. I look forward to continuing to support BMUS and the journal in new roles next year but most of all I look forward to receiving my copy of Ultrasound and not knowing for once what will lie within the pages.