Ultrasound's utility will be on full display at this year's RSNA annual meeting, showing its merit in a wide variety of clinical applications.
Research to be presented at the annual meeting in Chicago will explore the modality's clinical applications in musculoskeletal, pediatric, abdominal, and women's imaging among other areas. This includes advancements in ultrasound in recent years, such as the use of contrast for improved imaging, elastography and color Doppler for assessing complex pathologies, and using imaging data in AI models.
Studies will also evaluate ways to further improve the modality's capabilities by reassessing the physics side of ultrasound, such as attenuation and echogenicity, as well as the use of interferometry. Ultrasound's performance will also be compared with CT and MRI in detecting pathologies, as well as for how ultrasonic measures validate treatment strategies such as radiotherapy in cancer treatment and surgery for musculoskeletal pathologies.
Furthermore, ultrasound's use as a supplemental tool will be explored, including for breast cancer detection and follow-up imaging for assessing aneurysm risk. Additionally, research will show how using sonographic imaging data in machine learning can improve upon current risk assessment models, such as TI-RADS for thyroid nodule assessment and avoiding unnecessary biopsies.
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) will also take center stage in the Windy City; researchers will demonstrate the promise of CEUS for assessing ablation treatment and evaluating cancers undergoing chemotherapy. Other presentations will compare the efficacy of multiple contrast agents in ultrasound and fusion imaging.
AI studies to be showcased will also highlight how using ultrasound features and parameters can lead to better diagnosis and assessment of suspicious findings. This includes using conventional ultrasound and elastography data to better inform radiologists for head and neck imaging of both adult and pediatric patients.
All in all, ultrasound is a versatile modality that can help detect and diagnose pathologies such as liver cancer, breast cancer, and thyroid cancer, with RSNA presentations aiming to showcase these benefits that are possible, of course, without the ionizing radiation of some other imaging modalities.
RSNA 2023 attendees can also attend various education sessions exploring the latest innovations and techniques in sonography. These include case reports, updates in neonatal imaging, pediatric oncology and emergency medicine, advanced ultrasound technology and applications, AI in ultrasound imaging, contrast agent use, and more.
Keep reading for highlights in ultrasound coming from this year's meeting, and you can also view the complete 2023 scientific and educational program by visiting the RSNA 2023 program site.
Machine learning using ultrasound, SWE data improves thyroid imaging
Sunday, November 26 | 9:40 a.m.-9:50 a.m. | S1-SSHN01-5 | Room E353B
Attendees in this session will learn about how machine learning using ultrasound and shear wave elastography (SWE) images can improve thyroid nodule diagnosis and treatment strategy.
High-frequency ultrasound proves efficacy of radiotherapy on skin cancer
Sunday, November 26 | 11:20 a.m.-11:30 a.m. | S2-SSRO01-6 | Room S402
Here, attendees will learn about how ultrasound evaluation proves the safety and efficacy of radiotherapy for nonmelanoma skin cancer.
CEUS performs well in differentiating liver lesions
Sunday, November 26 | 11:20 a.m.-11:30 a.m. | S2-SSGI01-6 | Room S405
In this session, attendees will see how contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) may be a suitable alternative to MRI in differentiating focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) from hepatic adenoma.
US-PICT safe, effective in treating nonshoulder injuries
Sunday, November 26 | 1:10 p.m.-1:20 p.m. | S4-SSMK01-2 | Room E353B
Attendees will learn in this session about the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous irrigation of calcific tendinopathy (US-PICT) for muscular treatment.
CEUS has role in follow-up for endovascular aortic repair
Monday, November 27 | 1:40 p.m.-1:50 p.m. | M6-SSVA02-2 | Room N226
The performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in follow-up imaging after endovascular aortic repair will be compared to that of CT in a 12-year study to be presented in this session.
Doppler ultrasound evaluates transplant kidney function
Tuesday, November 28 | 1:50 p.m.-2:00 p.m. | T6-SSGU04-3 | Room N227B
Attendees will learn how Doppler ultrasound can image the renal function of transplanted kidneys in this session.
Elastography good for diagnosing skin pathologies
Wednesday, November 29 | 1:50 p.m.-2:00 p.m. | W6-SSPH10-3 | Room E353C
Researchers in this session will describe how torsional wave elastography could be useful in diagnosing skin pathologies.
Remote ultrasound detection with interferometer shows promise
Wednesday, November 29 | 2:20 p.m.-2:30 p.m. | W6-SSPH10-3 | Room E353C
The potential for remote ultrasound detection with an interferometer to produce high accuracy will be presented in this session.
Ultrasound platform effective evaluating hepatic steatosis
Thursday, November 30 | 1:30 p.m.-1:40 p.m. | R6-SSGI19-1 | Room E352
Attendees will hear about the potential for ultrasound-derived fat fraction to be an alternative tool for MRI in assessing hepatic steatosis.
Ultrasound model predicts liver cancer risk
Thursday, November 30 | 2:20 p.m.-2:30 p.m. | R6-SSGI19-6 | Room E352
A model integrating clinical and surveillance ultrasound features for patients at high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma will be presented in this session.
