Cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy occurs when an embryo implants into or on a prior cesarean scar, and carries a high burden of maternal morbidity and increased risk of maternal mortality when left untreated.1 The estimated incidence is approximately 1 in 1800–2000 pregnancies after cesarean delivery.2 The key to prompt treatment is early identification, most commonly and easily accomplished with transvaginal ultrasound. Cesarean delivery is the most commonly performed surgery in the world. In the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control’s Stats of the States data from 20 ..read more

Lung ultrasound (LUS) has been emerging as a vital clinical tool. LUS aids in diagnosing a range of conditions, from pneumonia to respiratory distress syndrome or pulmonary edema. LUS was also very significant at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when point-of-care lung monitoring modalities were crucial.   Diagnostic ultrasound standards and safety guidelines were established in the late 20th century to ensure the safety of ultrasound imaging and avoid ultrasound bioeffects in tissues. The Thermal Index (TI) and Mechanical index (MI) are two ultrasound exposure indices that respective ..read more

The field of neurosonography has evolved in the past few decades facilitating detailed anatomical evaluation of the central nervous system (CNS) of the unborn fetus (fetal neurosonography)1–2 and newborn child (neonatal neurosonography).3 During these early stages of life, neurosonography is possible due to the presence of physiologic acoustic windows such as the fontanelle and unfused sutures of the skull, allowing the ultrasound waves to penetrate the brain tissue. Both 2D and 3D ultrasound have been used to obtain the required images of neurosonography.4 This technique enables a high-resolu ..read more

Have you considered how you will spend April 8 (well, April 6–10, 2024, actually)? The place to be on the 8th is somewhere you can be in the path of totality during the total solar eclipse, and what better place to be than Austin, TX, where you can see the eclipse and get your fill of everything ultrasound? (and probably the cheapest way to get a hotel room is to register for UltraCon 2024 and grab a room while we still have affordable rooms in our block). The AIUM brings our annual meeting to Austin, TX, for the first time, and there will be lots to take in. We are bringing back Educational ..read more

Among the constant advances in medical imaging, one innovation, ultrasound, stands out for its ability to assist us in the care of our most vital organ—the heart. Ultrasound imaging is commonly associated with monitoring pregnancies and, as a result, has become established in cardiology. This imaging modality is a noninvasive means of viewing the heart’s chambers and valves, and, in honor of Heart Health Month, I will give an overview of echocardiography and how ultrasound is a safe and effective tool in the medical care of the heart. The Symphony of Sound Waves Ultrasound technology reli ..read more

In the fast-evolving world of healthcare, technological advancements have played a pivotal role in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and patient care. Ultrasound imaging has made significant strides in ease of use and availability. Ensuring the highest quality standards is where accreditation enters the scene, setting the gold standard for ultrasound practices. In this blog post, we will explore the ABCs of accreditation and understand its importance in the context of ultrasound imaging. A is for the AIUM: The Beacon of Accreditation Ultrasound accreditation is at the heart of the American Institu ..read more

Ultrasound scans are being performed everywhere. Not only in the standard radiology department in your local hospital, but also in the emergency room, urgent care clinics, your doctor’s office, and even at the local mall. But are you getting the same value for your money at each of these different sites? I have personally witnessed a very wide variety of skill levels within each of these departments. What can help you identify a reputable ultrasound unit? Look for an accredited ultrasound practice. Applying for and obtaining your ultrasound accreditation is a vigorous process. It requires that ..read more

In honor of Member Appreciation Month, we interviewed Eliza Fridlin, RDMS, FE, and Eran Bornstein, MD, to discover why they are members of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM). Eliza Fridlin, RDMS, FE Eran Bornstein, MD Why did you choose to join the AIUM? Eliza: I hold the AIUM community in high regard and take great pride in being an active member. The collective pursuit of excellence within the AIUM community further underscores the significance of my association with this esteemed organization. As a member of the AIUM, I have access to a wealth of resources and pivotal ..read more

During my early career as an Urgent Care Physician, I worked in busy, under-served, and rural Urgent Care Centers (UCCs). At that time, Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) was not popular. I practiced in high acuity UC settings, where we would often have US machine and US tech during business hours with an on-call tech after hours, as well as CT scan, STAT labs, and IV placement capabilities. However, I was interested in learning more about POCUS – so I attended a few CME courses that taught MSK and soft tissue, led by companies like Sonosite. After these courses, I returned to work excited and a ..read more

A call for increased awareness and training within the United States Routine evaluation of the fetal brain is performed during the second-trimester anatomical survey. This screening is conducted by transabdominal scan in 3 axial planes, namely, the transventricular, transthalamic, and transcerebellar planes.1 Targeted neurosonography, however, is a dedicated, detailed, and diagnostic examination of the fetal brain that is preferably performed with high-resolution transvaginal ultrasound via a transfontanelle approach, providing multiplanar assessment of the brain anatomy. Like fetal echocardi ..read more