Ultrasound is immediate, noninvasive, portable and still the workhorse in gynecological
and obstetrical imaging — and making advances in imaging the breast too.
“Ultrasound,
ultrasound, ultrasound.”
— John T. Queenan, M.D., in response to a question about the three most
significant technological developments in obstetrics and gynecology during the previous 30
years (1950 to 1980)
CT and MRI may attract more attention, but “ultrasound continues to be the
workhorse”1 for imaging in gynecology. The reasons are not hard to understand.
Ultrasonography is noninvasive and has a perfect safety record. It is portable and
relatively easy to use, and it produces images, including moving ones, immediately. And it
costs much less than other modalities to obtain and operate.
Ultrasonography is becoming even more popular as new technology expands its
capabilities and manufacturers offer packages of features specific for particular
specialties, including gynecology and obstetrics. This article takes a look at some
applications of ultrasonography in women’s health in 2002.
New Capabilities
Because of the nature of ultrasonography data, three-dimensional rendering came
more slowly to this modality, and for some time, 3D images were available only through
extensive offline manipulation. Real-time 3D imaging is now available, making it possible
even for operators with less experience to depict complex anatomy accurately, both for
diagnosis and for discussions with other physicians and with patients. Views not available
from 2D scans also become possible, and the accuracy of volume calculations improves
dramatically. CPT codes are available for reimbursement for some 3D studies performed to
obtain a second opinion.
Please refer to the May 2002
issue for the complete story.
For information on article reprints, contact
Martin St. Denis
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