Ultrasound

Ultrasound, also referred to as sonography or diagnostic ultrasound, uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize soft tissue. Ultrasounds are frequently ordered to measure fetal anatomy during pregnancy, check for blood clots and to guide needle biopsy procedures of the breast, abdomen and pelvis. The imaging modality does not use any radiation to create images. Find news specific to cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography).

A book titled "Health Care Law" next to a gavel and a stethoscope

Breast density legislation linked to improved ultrasound utilization, cancer detection

The passage of breast density notification legislation leads to improvements in ultrasound utilization and cancer detection, according to new findings published by the American Journal of Public Health.

March 22, 2019

Does supplemental whole-breast ultrasound provide significant value?

Supplementing screening mammography with whole-breast ultrasound may not be worth the trouble, according to new findings published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

March 21, 2019
Researchers recently completed an external validation for the Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System (O-RADS) for classifying lesions as malignant or benign, for which validation had been previously lacking. #ORADS

Groups continue push for FDA to remove 'black box' warning from ultrasound contrast agents

The International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS) is once again pushing the FDA to eliminate the “black box” warning from ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs), detailing its stance in a petition supported by several other medical societies.

March 6, 2019

Ultrasound societies want the FDA to remove contrast label warning

The International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS) is again urging the FDA to remove the “black box” warning from ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) labels, following its filing of a September 2018 citizen petition with the federal agency.

March 6, 2019

RBMA, UAC working to prevent ultrasound reimbursement cuts

The Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA) and Ultrasound Access Coalition (UAC) have released a statement highlighting their opposition to the $112 million in Medicare ultrasound reimbursement cuts planned by CMS.

February 22, 2019

Ultrasound-guided placement of central line catheters shown cost-effective

Researchers at Northwestern University in Chicago have found that, per procedure, using ultrasound with electrocardiography to guide insertions of central venous catheters via the arm is only somewhat less costly than the conventional method, external measurements with confirmatory chest x-rays. However, the savings can add up over time. 

February 20, 2019
analyzing financial data

ACR seeks help in fight against $112M in ultrasound reimbursement cuts

The American College of Radiology (ACR) has asked radiologists and other healthcare professionals to send them invoices that reflect the real-world costs associated with purchasing ultrasound equipment.

February 20, 2019
Surg Prep

Enhanced ultrasound equals enhanced CT for surveillance of liver cancer

Following radiation therapy for liver metastases, patients are just as well monitored with contrast-enhanced ultrasound as with contrast-enhanced CT, according to the authors of a pilot study running in the March edition of the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine.

February 15, 2019