We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
GLOBETECH PUBLISHING LLC

Download Mobile App




New Volumetric Ultrasound Imaging Technique Could Improve Obstetrical Care in Resource-Poor Areas

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 06 Jan 2016
Print article
Image: Researchers Betsy L. Sussman, MD, Matthew D. LeComte, PhD, Kristen K. DeStigter, MD, and Mary Streeter, R.T. presenting a new obstetrical ultrasound technique for resource-poor areas (Photo courtesy of RSNA).
Image: Researchers Betsy L. Sussman, MD, Matthew D. LeComte, PhD, Kristen K. DeStigter, MD, and Mary Streeter, R.T. presenting a new obstetrical ultrasound technique for resource-poor areas (Photo courtesy of RSNA).
A new study presented at the annual Radiological Society of North America (RSNA 2015) meeting in Chicago USA shows that a new volumetric imaging technique can increase accessibility to obstetric ultrasound, and reduce infant mortality, in resource-poor regions worldwide.

Poor communities in the world lack the resources and trained personnel for obstetrical care, and this can result in undiagnosed complications during pregnancy, and increased neonatal, infant, and maternal mortality. The new technology is portable, and relatively inexpensive, and can be taught to people with no previous ultrasound experience, within several hours, and the results sent to an obstetrical expert for evaluation over an Internet connection.

Results for 91 patients examined using the new technique were compared to results from routine obstetric ultrasound exams performed on the same patients, on the same day. The researchers found that the ultrasound exams were useful in finding multiple pregnancies, and fetuses in breech positions. The researchers were also able to use the scans from more than 73% of the minimally trained people to estimate gestational age by measuring the Biparietal Diameter (BPD). The scans could also be used to evaluate for Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR), and preeclampsia.

According to the researchers the technology could also be useful in imaging pediatric patients for abdominal emergencies, to find evidence of heart disease in pregnant women, evaluating breast lumps, and has a significant potential for emergency imaging following natural disasters.

The author of the study, Kristen K. DeStigter, MD, University of Vermont College of Medicine (Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA), said, "At first we were compressing and transmitting the sweeps for quality assurance purposes, but when we saw that the images were quite good we started to wonder whether it was possible to use the sweeps for primary interpretation to identify complications early in pregnancy. If so, then this method could be a game changer for rural areas where skilled human resources are scarce. It's important to know the gestational age and, if necessary, get the mother to a higher level of care. If the mother has a condition like diabetes or high blood pressure, we can treat her condition and improve the chances of a successful pregnancy."

Related Links:

University of Vermont College of Medicine


Gold Supplier
Ultrasound System
FUTUS LE
Gold Supplier
Conductive Gel
Tensive
Gold Supplier
CR Reader
FCR PRIMA II
Interventional Robot
ANT-X

Print article
Radcal

Channels

Radiography

view channel
Image: Intelligent NR provides high-quality diagnostic images containing significantly less grainy noise (Photo courtesy of Canon)

AI-Driven DR System Produces Higher Quality Images While Limiting Radiation Doses in Pediatric Patients

Ionizing radiation is a fundamental element in producing diagnostic X-rays, yet it's widely acknowledged for its cancer risk potential. Digital projection radiography, a vital imaging modality, accounts... Read more

MRI

view channel
Image: The researchers are using MRI-guided radiation therapy that pairs daily MRIs with radiation treatment (Photo courtesy of Sylvester)

AI Technique Automatically Traces Tumors in Large MRI Datasets to Guide Real-time Glioblastoma Treatment

Treating glioblastoma, a prevalent and aggressive brain cancer, involves the use of radiation therapy guided by CT imaging. While this method is effective in targeting radiation, it doesn't provide real-time... Read more

Nuclear Medicine

view channel
Image: A novel PET radiotracer facilitates early, noninvasive detection of IBD (Photo courtesy of Karmanos)

New PET Radiotracer Aids Early, Noninvasive Detection of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is an inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract affecting roughly seven million individuals globally.... Read more

General/Advanced Imaging

view channel
Image: Artificial intelligence predicts therapy responses for ovarian cancer (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

AI Model Combines Blood Test and CT Scan Analysis to Predict Therapy Responses in Ovarian Cancer Patients

Ovarian cancer annually impacts thousands of women, with many diagnoses occurring at advanced stages due to subtle early symptoms. High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, which accounts for 70-80% of ovarian... Read more

Imaging IT

view channel
Image: The new Medical Imaging Suite makes healthcare imaging data more accessible, interoperable and useful (Photo courtesy of Google Cloud)

New Google Cloud Medical Imaging Suite Makes Imaging Healthcare Data More Accessible

Medical imaging is a critical tool used to diagnose patients, and there are billions of medical images scanned globally each year. Imaging data accounts for about 90% of all healthcare data1 and, until... Read more

Industry News

view channel
Image: Attendees can discover innovative products and technology in the RSNA 2023 Technical Exhibits (Photo courtesy of RSNA)

RSNA 2023 Technical Exhibits to Offer Innovations in AI, 3D Printing and More

The 109th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA, Oak Brook, IL, USA) to be held in Chicago, Nov. 26 to 30 is all set to offer a vast array of medical... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2023 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.