ICUS

ICUS Endorses Expanded Role of Sonographers in CEUS Procedures

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 21, 2024
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More patients will now have access to safe and inexpensive diagnostic scans known as “contrast-enhanced ultrasound” (CEUS) as a result of the expanding role of sonographers, according to the International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS).

Key Points: 
  • More patients will now have access to safe and inexpensive diagnostic scans known as “contrast-enhanced ultrasound” (CEUS) as a result of the expanding role of sonographers, according to the International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS).
  • “Sonographers play a vital role in conducting CEUS examinations, and continually learning new techniques, such as CEUS, is a core component of providing innovative care and elevating our profession,” said Maria Stanczak, a member of the ICUS board of directors who played a key role in updating CEUS content in the new Scope of Practice.
  • ICUS does not charge fees for membership, CME-accredited webinars on CEUS, newsletters and other CEUS resources or programming.
  • To join ICUS, register and learn more, visit the ICUS website at www.ICUS-Society.org , or download the free ICUS app for iPhone and Android devices.

New Physician Guidelines Recommend Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound to Diagnose Certain Liver Cancers

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
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New physician guidelines now recommend use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary liver cancer.

Key Points: 
  • New physician guidelines now recommend use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary liver cancer.
  • The new guidelines recommend CEUS for diagnosing HCC when MR and CT are inconclusive, unavailable or contraindicated.
  • CEUS uses FDA-approved “microbubble” ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) that are administered intravenously during an ultrasound scan.
  • UCAs are manufactured and sold in the US and elsewhere by Bracco, Lantheus and GE Healthcare.

CEUS Underutilization May Pose Greater Risk Than Rare Side Effects Associated With Use, Say Experts

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 8, 2023
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He noted that UEAs present a rare risk of a severe allergic reaction in 1/15,000 patients.

Key Points: 
  • He noted that UEAs present a rare risk of a severe allergic reaction in 1/15,000 patients.
  • By comparison, iodinated contrast agents used for CT present a risk of life threatening reactions in 1/500 to 1/5,000 patients.
  • “Despite the rare risk of an adverse event associated with UEAs, patients face an even greater risk associated with non-use,” said Dr. Tom Porter, lead author of the ICUS guidelines.
  • He also said that CEUS use has even been associated with a reduced length of hospital stay in some patients.

Enhanced Ultrasound Superior to MRI for Diagnosing Certain Liver and Kidney Tumors, According to New Studies

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
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Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is more accurate and reliable than MRI for examining certain liver and kidney nodules, according to two new studies published in the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine (JUM) and highlighted by the International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS).

Key Points: 
  • Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is more accurate and reliable than MRI for examining certain liver and kidney nodules, according to two new studies published in the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine (JUM) and highlighted by the International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS).
  • She called upon the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) to include CEUS in its liver imaging guidelines, along with MRI and CT.
  • The Canadian liver study represents the first prospective comparison of CEUS and contrast-enhanced MRI for assessment of newly-discovered liver nodules, according to Dr. Wilson.
  • Nonetheless, MRI remains an essential tool for managing patients with malignant tumors, particularly for staging these tumors prior to treatment, according to Dr. Wilson.

Simple tool on ICUS app predicts patient benefit from enhanced ultrasound scan

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
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Echo lab staff may access the CEUS Calculator free of charge on ICUS Connect, the new mobile app created by the International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS), and on the ICUS website ( www.ICUS-Society.org ).

Key Points: 
  • Echo lab staff may access the CEUS Calculator free of charge on ICUS Connect, the new mobile app created by the International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS), and on the ICUS website ( www.ICUS-Society.org ).
  • The International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS) is a nonprofit medical society dedicated to advancing the safe and medically appropriate use of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to improve patient care globally.
  • Membership in ICUS is free of charge and there is no fee for ICUS CME-accredited educational programs, newsletters or other resources.
  • To join ICUS and learn more about CEUS, download ICUS Connect and visit the ICUS website ( www.icus-society.org ).

Bubbles Bring Miracles to Sick Ukrainian Children

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 27, 2022
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Miracles have been few and far between for Ukrainian children who are fleeing war zones while facing cancer and other life threatening diseases.

Key Points: 
  • Miracles have been few and far between for Ukrainian children who are fleeing war zones while facing cancer and other life threatening diseases.
  • Fortunately, ultrasound equipment was readily available at Dr. Zhelovs hospital, as it is in many medical centers around the world.
  • The ultrasound contrast agent is a liquid suspension of microscopic bubbles comprised of a lipid or albumin shell with a gas core.
  • His medical center is among the most prominent Ukrainian pediatric clinics in the fields of oncology, immunology and rare diseases.

Doctors Predict Benefits of Ultrasound Enhancing Agents

Retrieved on: 
Friday, October 1, 2021
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Doctors today described new ways to predict whether specific patients will benefit from the use of ultrasound enhancing agents (UEAs) to improve the accuracy of their ultrasound scan for diagnosis of heart disease, the number one killer of Americans.

Key Points: 
  • Doctors today described new ways to predict whether specific patients will benefit from the use of ultrasound enhancing agents (UEAs) to improve the accuracy of their ultrasound scan for diagnosis of heart disease, the number one killer of Americans.
  • Dr. Strom also is a member of the board of directors of the International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS).
  • Doctors also were encouraged to use UEAs to enhance ultrasound images of carotid arteries.
  • UEAs (sometimes also known as ultrasound contrast agents) are injected during an ultrasound scan to enhance the resolution of an ultrasound image of the heart and other organ systems.

Doctors Urge Expanded Use of Ultrasound Contrast Agents

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 30, 2021
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Ultrasound experts today urged the health care community to work to expand utilization of ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) in order to offer patients broader access to low-cost, safe and reliable diagnostic imaging.

Key Points: 
  • Ultrasound experts today urged the health care community to work to expand utilization of ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) in order to offer patients broader access to low-cost, safe and reliable diagnostic imaging.
  • Dr. Wilson is a professor of radiology and gastroenterology at the University of Calgary and Co-President of the International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS).
  • UCAs (sometimes also known as ultrasound enhancing agents) are biocompatible imaging agents that are injected during an ultrasound scan to enhance the resolution of an ultrasound image.
  • The International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS) is a grassroots, non-profit medical society dedicated to advancing the safe and appropriate use of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to improve patient care.