Ultrasound is the perfect modality for many clinical applications, due to its portability, noninvasive nature, lack of radiation, and relative cost-effectiveness. All these benefits translate into increased interest in putting the modality to use to diagnose and treat a variety of diseases, and this year's RSNA meeting will highlight new ways the technology is changing clinical practice.
One hot topic, in particular, will be contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), which researchers are finding can help diagnose liver cancer, preoperatively evaluate hyperparathyroidism, and monitor tumors following ablation. RSNA 2018 attendees will also encounter lively discussion regarding the uses and benefits of MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS), for everything from prostate cancer to uterine fibroids to using the technology in lieu of pain medication in patients with painful bone metastases.
There's no escaping the burgeoning interest in using artificial intelligence (AI) across all imaging modalities, and ultrasound is no exception. Researchers will present data from studies that explore the application of ultrasound AI that's applied for liver imaging and diagnosing thyroid nodules and gallbladder polyps.
In women's imaging, look for studies that investigate how ultrasound performs in breast screening -- especially relevant given the number of states passing dense breast tissue notification laws -- as well as how the modality works with digital breast tomosynthesis to stage disease. The presentations will also address ultrasound's accuracy for diagnosing ovarian torsion and the use of ultrasound tomography to measure breast tumor volume.
Finally, the RSNA will be offering a variety of ultrasound refresher courses that will cover key topics such as ultrasound for musculoskeletal applications and first-trimester pregnancy, as well as interventional procedures, emergency ultrasound pitfalls, and renal elastography.
Read on for highlights of just some of the many ultrasound research presentations and posters at this year's meeting, or view the complete listing of abstracts for the RSNA 2018 meeting program.
![Examples of ultrasound findings and techniques. (A) Images in a 39-year-old male patient with a mass in the left thigh. The mass is heterogeneous on the B-mode US image (compared with the patient in D) and showed increased microvascularity (superb microvascular imaging [SMI]) and shear-wave elastography (SWE) values. Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma was diagnosed at biopsy (with pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma in surgical specimen). (B) Images in an 18-year-old male patient with a mass in the left leg. The mass is hypoechoic on the B-mode image, with no other findings suggestive of malignancy. The lesion is in contact with the cortex of the tibia, which is slightly irregular. CT revealed a doubtful anteromedial tibial erosion. The microvascular study demonstrated high vascularization, suggestive of malignancy. Periosteal Ewing sarcoma was diagnosed with both histologic and immunohistochemical confirmation. (C) Images in a 69-year-old female patient with a lump growing on the outside of the left leg. Multiple SWE examinations were performed (please note the high values obtained in the measurements, whereas the color map highlights the stiffness relative to adjacent tissues). SMI showed areas of increased vascularization to target for sampling. Undifferentiated spindle cell sarcoma was diagnosed at biopsy, with residual leiomyosarcoma in the surgical specimen after neoadjuvant therapy. (D) Images in a 56-year-old female patient with a mass in the right thigh. The mass is heterogeneous at both B-mode ultrasound (similar to patient A) and MRI (coronal T2-weighted spectral attenuated inversion recovery [SPAIR]; T1-weighted pre-contrast and postcontrast imaging), which even shows uptake after the administration of paramagnetic contrast material, which is traditionally suggestive of malignancy. Low values at SMI and elastography are suggestive of benignity. Spindle cell lipoma was diagnosed at biopsy, with atypical spindle cell lipomatous tumor in the surgical specimen.](https://img.auntminnie.com/mindful/smg/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/08/images-radiol250278fig2.APCFLSvX6p.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&fit=crop&h=167&q=70&w=250)
