The current issue covers the following topics:
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Training and education of medical students in ultrasound. The study shows a clear
benefit of a standardized protocol for training.
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Evaluation of a semi-automated system for arthrosonography. The first results of the
study are promising. It seems that the technique is comparable to conventional manual
ultrasonography.
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Case report about US in asymptomatic sternalis muscle. This case report describes
the use of US in asymptomatic swelling in the left breast and its differential diagnosis.
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A prospective study about the measurement of the cerebellar vermis in fetuses between
18 and 33 gestational weeks using 2D and 3D US. This is one of the hot topics in prenatal
medicine. The evaluation of the posterior fossa can be very difficult. The data present
information regarding the evaluation of the normal anatomy in that region.
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A retrospective follow-up analysis in patients with testicular microlithiasis. The
study shows no correlation between testicular microlithiasis and testicular germ cell
neoplasia.
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A study about contrast-enhanced US in CT with respect to undetermined focal liver
lesions. The study showed a high diagnostic accuracy for CEUS in undetermined focal
liver lesions found by CT. The conclusion is that CEUS is useful in differentiating
between malignant and benign focal liver lesions in clinical practice.
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Literature review about the use of vascular elastography as a tool for assessing atherosclerotic
plaques. 20 articles were included in this paper. The results are heterogeneous but
the majority show potential for use of the method as a clinical tool in this regard.
These 7 articles provide an excellent overview of the use of ultrasound and reflect
the main topics among members of the ultrasound community, such as the DEGUM, the
German Society for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology. The use of new techniques (CEUS,
elastography, 3D US) shows the scientific potential of ultrasound.
With great interest, I read the study about the training of medical students in ultrasound
and the implementation of a standardized training protocol. These measures will have
an impact on our future work, because the training and education of medical students
as well of resident physicians will play a greater role.
I hope you enjoy this issue of UIO and congratulations to all of the authors.
On behalf of the Editors of UIO,
Kai-Sven Heling
