From Skeptic to Believer

Dr. Bryan Matusic

Growing Awareness

When Dr. Bryan Matusic first started practicing, the block and neurostimulator alone were considered best practice and block success rates of 85% were the accepted norm. "I was using just my own senses and the stimulator," he says. "Even if I had a 10%-15% failure rate, I was still doing better than most."

Studies Indicate CT Scan Overuse, Radiation Overexposure

Recently the medical literature has documented the growing use of CT scans. It is certainly no secret that, when circumstances warrant, Sonosite advocates for the consideration of ultrasound first over other imaging modalities. A CT scan is a powerful and valuable test when used appropriately and—as with all medical procedures—when its therapeutic value is carefully weighed against its potential harm. Yet, while acknowledging CT’s value, I can’t ignore mounting evidence indicating CT scans are being ordered more often than are necessary or safe.

Ultrasound Can Diagnose and Prevent Pneumothorax

by Dr. Diku Mandavia

It's ironic that one of the most efficient ways to detect pneumothorax in patients is also one of the most effective ways to prevent two of its more common clinical causes.

While scenarios that might trigger the suspicion of pneumothorax are too numerous to list, screening for it has included the standard trinity of chest-imaging procedures: x-rays, tomography, and ultrasound.

Dr. Jeff Gonzales' Story

Dr Jeff Gonzales

Catching a bus shouldn't be life-threatening. But for one 23-year-old woman, running for the bus could have cost her everything.

After rushing to hop on board, she fell unconscious, leaving her arm outstretched beyond the door. Not knowing this, the driver closed the door and drove to the next stop, about two-tenths of a mile away.

Improving Care while Reducing Costs in Health Care

Would you let your family fly in an airplane at night if the pilot didn’t have radar? I certainly wouldn’t. That pilot would be flying blind. It’s the same for ultrasound. When a physician performs an invasive procure without ultrasound guidance, it’s akin to a flying blind.

Training Standards for Critical Care Ultrasonography

Ultrasound within critical care is growing rapidly and has a large role for multiple diagnostic applications and for guidance of invasive procedures. A recent international roundtable, composed of 29 experts from five continents, just published recommendations on the need for developing training standards for intensive care medical students. Twelve Critical Care societies from around the world have endorsed the framework.