Articles on breast ultrasound

Abstract

In the June issue, Journal of Ultrasound started running a series of articles on breast diseases. Our Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Ferdinando Draghi, who is himself a breast ultrasound expert and author of articles and a monograph on the subject, agreed with the Division for the Study of Breast Diseases of SIUMB to publish a special issue on breast ultrasound, or at least a series of articles on this topic. The complex and intricate gathering of articles is time-consuming, and the publication of this special issue has therefore been postponed, but it has been and will be possible to include at least two articles on breast ultrasound in every issue of the Journal, starting from the June issue and for some issues to come. On behalf of the entire Division, I would like to thank Dr. Draghi for this initiative which allows diffusion of information about breast diseases to all the members of SIUMB and other readers thanks to the on-line publication of the Journal. The study of breast diseases has undergone a significant evolution in Italy in terms of scientific development and diffusion on the territory since the 1980s, thus achieving significant results in the field of diagnosis and therapy. However, we are not satisfied yet and in order to achieve more important goals, it is necessary to strengthen clinical research, which requires, as we all know, appropriate and targeted resources as well as expertise. In the meantime it is important to work on a thorough analysis of the topic area among professionals through specific articles spreading valuable information. Subsequently we will draw up clinical research protocols together and proceed with proselytizing activities to attract as many colleagues as possible to the field of breast ultrasound. The aim of this initiative is also to raise awareness of the possibilities and limitations of breast ultrasound. There is in fact no denying that the interpretation of some ultrasound images can be very difficult, so operator experience is essential and also integration of ultrasound with other imaging methods such as mammography and MRI - but not cytology and histology. The objective of the Division for the Study of Breast Diseases is to diffuse breast ultrasound as an ethically and methodologically correct method of investigation, and if the Scientific Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Ferdinando Draghi, and our publishing house, Elsevier, agree also the planned special issue will soon be available to the members and other readers.