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

Download Mobile App




New Ultrasound Terminology for Early Pregnancy Endorsed by Expert Panel

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 28 Aug 2024

There is a multi-society consensus on first-trimester imaging guidelines that identify reliable sonographic signs indicative of non-viable pregnancies, yet inconsistency remains in the terminology used in imaging reports and patient communications. More...

Commonly used terms are often outdated, confusing, applied inconsistently, or understood differently by radiologists, clinicians, and patients. In response, for the first time, a multi-medical society panel has created and endorsed a uniform lexicon for describing ultrasound observations during the first trimester of pregnancy. This lexicon is based on scientific evidence, societal guidelines, and expert consensus, and clarifies terms commonly found in first-trimester ultrasound reports, such as ‘ectopic pregnancy,’ ‘heartbeat,’ ‘living,’ and ‘viable.’

The panel was convened by the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound (SRU, Tampa, FL, USA) along with other societies also participating in the development of the lexicon which was published in the journal Radiology and simultaneously in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. The expert panel worked for 18 months to reach a unanimous or near-unanimous consensus on the preferred terms, synonyms, and terms to avoid in the first-trimester ultrasound report. Recognizing the gradual and incomplete nature of cardiac development early in pregnancy, the panel advised using ‘cardiac activity’ rather than ‘heart motion’ or ‘heartbeat.’

Moreover, the panel advised against using terms like ‘live,’ ‘living,’ and ‘viable,’ which might generate unrealistic expectations for patients at risk of pregnancy loss or facing an ectopic pregnancy. While ‘miscarriage’ and ‘spontaneous abortion’ are still included, the term ‘pregnancy failure’ has been updated to ‘early pregnancy loss.’ An intrauterine pregnancy is defined as one implanted in a normal location, whereas an embryo located abnormally inside (e.g., within a cesarean scar) or outside the uterus is considered an ectopic pregnancy. The endorsement of this new first-trimester ultrasound lexicon by all participating societies suggests it will gain broad acceptance.

“We recognize that specific language in the medical record could be used by third parties to negatively affect the physician-patient relationship,” said Lori M. Strachowski, M.D., senior author and UCSF clinical professor of radiology and biomedical imaging and obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences, who was one of the members to lead the team. “Our goal was to recommend clear, specific, scientifically based and medically appropriate terminology that communicates clearly across disciplines, minimizes bias and harm, and respects patient preferences.”

Related Links:
SRU


Digital Radiographic System
OMNERA 300M
Ultrasound Imaging System
P12 Elite
Digital X-Ray Detector Panel
Acuity G4
Multi-Use Ultrasound Table
Clinton
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to MedImaging.net and get access to news and events that shape the world of Radiology.
  • Free digital version edition of Medical Imaging International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of Medical Imaging International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of Medical Imaging International in digital format
  • Free Medical Imaging International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

MRI

view channel
Image: An AI tool has shown tremendous promise for predicting relapse of pediatric brain cancer (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

AI Tool Predicts Relapse of Pediatric Brain Cancer from Brain MRI Scans

Many pediatric gliomas are treatable with surgery alone, but relapses can be catastrophic. Predicting which patients are at risk for recurrence remains challenging, leading to frequent follow-ups with... Read more

Nuclear Medicine

view channel
Image: In vivo imaging of U-87 MG xenograft model with varying mass doses of 89Zr-labeled KLG-3 or isotype control (Photo courtesy of L Gajecki et al.; doi.org/10.2967/jnumed.124.268762)

Novel Radiolabeled Antibody Improves Diagnosis and Treatment of Solid Tumors

Interleukin-13 receptor α-2 (IL13Rα2) is a cell surface receptor commonly found in solid tumors such as glioblastoma, melanoma, and breast cancer. It is minimally expressed in normal tissues, making it... 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
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.