Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Proven Benefits of ShearWave(TM) Elastography: Radiology and European Radiology Journals Report High Reproducibility and Significant Improvement of Breast Ultrasound Specificity

AIX-EN-PROVENCE, France, Feb 29, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The much anticipated results of the largest clinical breast study ever sponsored by an ultrasound manufacturer have recently been published in the prestigious peer reviewed Radiology and European Radiology medical journals. The multinational, multicenter "Breast Elastography 1 (BE1)" study, involving renowned clinicians in the breast radiology community, assessed the clinical benefits of ShearWave Elastography in the ultrasonic diagnosis of breast lesions.

The study had two objectives: The first was to demonstrate that images obtained using ShearWave Elastography were reproducible. The second was to compare ultrasound alone versus the combination of ultrasound and ShearWave Elastography for breast lesion characterization. The goal of the latter was to improve lesion classification in categories BI-RADS(R) 3 and BI-RADS(R) 4, where most treatment dilemmas occur, in order to better direct patients towards clinical short-term follow-up or biopsy.

source: Market Watch

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

MSK ultrasound volume increase higher among non-radiologists, study suggests

Between 2000 and 2009, the musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound volume increase among non-radiologists was much higher than that among radiologists, according to a study in the February issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology. Ultrasound images of the MSK system provide pictures of muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and soft tissue throughout the body.

Over the past two decades, MSK ultrasound has emerged as an effective means of diagnosing MSK pathologies. However, some insurance providers have expressed concern about increased MSK ultrasound utilization, possibly facilitated by the low cost and ready availability of ultrasound technology.

Data was obtained from the CMS Physician/Supplier Procedure Summary Master Files from 2000 to 2009, and records were extracted for procedures for extremity non-vascular ultrasound. Researchers analyzed annual volume by provider type using specialties, practice settings and geographic regions where the studies were performed.

Results showed that musculoskeletal ultrasound volume increased from 56,254 procedures in 2000 to 233,964 in 2009. However, the MSK ultrasound volume increase among non-radiologists, especially podiatrists, was far higher than that among radiologists from 2000 and 2009, with the highest growth in private offices.

source: EurekAlert