🗞️ Ultrasound Application News

Can Sonographers Reliably Score Thyroid Nodules Using TI-RADS? A new study suggests they can. Researchers found trained sonographers achieved comparable, and in some cases superior, accuracy to radiologists when scoring thyroid nodules with TI-RADS. These findings highlight a potential pathway to improve diagnostic efficiency and resource allocation in thyroid imaging. Read the full blog post for more.

📚 Case Study: OB/GYN

Background:
This 40-year-old female with a history of prior bilateral tubal ligation is referred to the ED for a positive pregnancy test noted during a routine obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) appointment. She undergoes a pelvic ultrasound exam. 
Which of the following choices best describes the sonographic findings seen in the accompanying ultrasound clips?

A. Hemorrhagic cyst
B. Endometrioma
C. Intrauterine pregnancy
D. Ectopic pregnancy

Correct Answer: D. Ectopic pregnancy

👩‍⚕️ Scanning & Imaging Tips: Optimizing Signal Aliasing

Please examine this accompanying ultrasound image of a blood vessel that was obtained using color Doppler.

Which of the following interventions will best optimize visualization of blood flow within the Doppler color box?

A. Shift baseline upward.
B. Decrease color Doppler box size.
C. Decrease pulse repetition frequency (PRF).
D. Increase velocity scale.

The correct choice is increase velocity scale.  The example image appears to show multi-directional flow at the center of the vessel. However, it also shows relatively laminar flow (smooth, layered flow) without turbulent mixing. This indicates an aliasing artifact in which the velocity exceeds the Nyquist limit. Note that the directional change also occurs in the center of the vessel where velocity would be expected to be highest. The adjacent colors within the vessel (orange next to blue-aqua) are located along polar opposites of the color map, which further indicates this is signal aliasing artifact, as one would expect the dark adjacent colors across the black base-line within the vessel to be located adjacent to each other on the color map with bidirectional flow. Increasing the velocity scale will alleviate this artifact. Decreasing the PRF will reduce the Nyquist limit (creating more aliasing), while changing the box size will only change the frame rate.

🔎 Scan & Seek - Fun with Physics

Look below to see the leaf we hid in this ultrasound image.

🧠 Challenge Case of the Month: Abdomen

Case History:   This 18 year-old-male with history of IBD presents with abdominal pain and distention. 

Please evaluate his abdomen with ultrasound.👇

✨ SonoSim Updates

Check out all that’s new in September!

• The New Course-Taking Experience is here, with intuitive navigation, flexible playback options, and improved progress tracking.
• New scanning cases have been added to the Regional Anesthesia module. Upgrade your software to access them now.
• Preparing for the CCEeXAM®? Our new Test Prep tool offers high-yield questions and a full-length mock exam to help you succeed.
  
  Read the full release notes for all the details on our latest improvements.

💡 SonoSim Tips & Tricks

Want to get the most out of SonoSim’s Study tools?

This quick orientation will guide you through the Study Element of the SonoSim® Ecosystem, helping you build a smarter study strategy in just 5-10 minutes. You’ll get a clear overview of all the SonoSim Study Tools available, dive into Challenge Cases within the SonoSimulator®, and explore how to test and reinforce your knowledge with the QuestionBank, AEMUS-FPD, and/or SPI Test Prep tools.

By the end of this short course, you’ll understand how to structure your study time, use each tool with purpose, and walk away with best practices to help you study more efficiently and with confidence.

😂 LOLtrasound

Credit: @thebluntsonographer

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