A hybrid real time/B scan ultrasonic system. Implications for clinical practice based on a two-year experience

Abstract

As a result of recent technical advances in ultrasonic equipment, image quality has rapidly improved with important consequences. Less expertise is now required to produce good pictures and the scope of the modality has broadened. Accuracy rates have improved in the detection of smaller lesions paralleling increased confidence in defining normal anatomy and subtle changes in the parenchyma of solid organs. The result in most departments has been an unprecedented increase in demand for ultrasonic examinations. Contrary to North American practice, the bulk of scanning in the UK, apart from obstetric work, is carried out by medically qualified personnel, usually radiologists, to whom this new situation has posed serious problems. Ultrasound in common with other new imaging techniques is introducing yet more work into a speciality where establishment is already considerably under strength, both at consultant level and throughout the training grades. It was decided to make a retrospective assessment of how successful attempts have been to meet this problem in a busy ultrasound unit within an X-ray department. Until 1975 the ultrasound work of the department was largely confined to obstetric practice and carried out on a single bi-stable display B scan unit (Nuclear Enterprises 4102). This was upgraded with an analogue scan converter in 1976.