November 11, 2019 — AuntMinnie.com
By Kate Madden Yee
What’s not to like about ultrasound? It’s cost-effective, portable, and noninvasive — and it’s proving to be an effective tool for a wide range of applications, from treating uterine fibroids and identifying hydrocephalus in children to diagnosing enlarged veins in patients with cirrhosis.
At this year’s RSNA meeting, ultrasound’s versatility will be on display via scientific presentations and posters, as well as refresher courses that will keep sonographers at the top of their game.
One hot topic at this year’s meeting will be shear-wave elastography (SWE), a technique that allows for real-time quantification of tissue stiffness and, therefore, can be helpful in identifying cancerous lesions, which tend to be stiffer than surrounding tissue. RSNA 2019 attendees will also encounter vigorous discussion regarding the uses and benefits of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), ultrasound molecular imaging, and using the modality for musculoskeletal applications — ranging from imaging the Achilles tendon and the knee to the shoulder and the elbow.
On the women’s imaging side, look for presentations that explore how ultrasound can help monitor breast cancer treatment response, differentiate benign from malignant lesions, and even reduce the need for sentinel node biopsy in women with early-stage disease — as well as discussion about the pros and cons of automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) compared with handheld and the use of ABUS as a supplemental modality in women with dense breast tissue.
Check out education exhibits that will touch on ultrasound’s role in predicting the molecular subtype of breast cancer and diagnosing incompetence in veins, as well as a controversy session that will explore which modality is best for screening and surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma (is it ultrasound, CT, or MR?).
Finally, RSNA 2019 will be offering a variety of ultrasound refresher courses that will cover dynamic musculoskeletal imaging, thyroid sonography, ultrasound-guided interventional breast procedures, breast elastography, CEUS, liver elastography, and abdominal Doppler.
Keep reading for highlights of just some of the ultrasound research and posters scheduled for presentation at this year’s meeting. View the complete list of abstracts for the 2019 scientific and educational program on the RSNA website.
