Dear Ultrasound Insider,
In cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, percutaneous approaches for thermal ablation are commonly guided by ultrasound and/or CT, but peripheral liver lesions located near vital organs present a challenge due to the risk of collateral thermal injury. Suitable use of thermoprotective techniques can safeguard these organs and minimize complications, according to radiologists from Melbourne, Australia.
In a special feature article, you can read more about their experiences over 20 years. The group has also agreed to let us post two sets of clinical images.
Also from Down Under, we have a report about how a radiology practice miscoded an ultrasound examination conducted at 41 weeks that showed low amniotic fluid. This error resulted in the scan being sent "to nowhere," rather than to the mother's midwife. Tragically, the baby later died.
The implementation of wireless transducers has occurred mainly in the handheld ultrasound market, but this appears to be changing. You can read more in a technology trends article by industry expert Mustafa Hassan.
More widespread use of ultrasound-guided nerve blocks could help lessen reliance on opioids for pain management, given the latter's negative effects such as misuse, physical dependence, and addiction, a new study has found.
In another important piece of research, the authors have concluded that some nonmass breast lesion characteristics on ultrasound exams can be considered suspicious for malignancy at screening ultrasound. Get the full story in our report.
These articles are just a small selection of the material we've posted during recent weeks in the ultrasound content area. Please check out the full listing here.
Philip Ward
Editor in Chief
AuntMinnieEurope.com
