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Ultrasounds valued in medical diagnosis Recognizing the importance of medical ultrasound in health care and increasing public awareness of the benefits of this noninvasive imaging technique are the goals of Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month in October.   With ultrasound’s increasing role in medicine, one of the main goals of the campaign is to provide a better understanding of how medical ultrasound works, its use in medical diagnoses, and what areas of the body ultrasound can image.   Much of the public is already familiar with the use of ultrasound during pregnancy, however many people are unaware that it also can be used throughout many stages of life as well as medical situations.   Ultrasound is defined as any sound at a frequency that is above the range of human hearing. Diagnostic medical ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to create multi-dimensional images of organs and other structures inside the body. There are four types of specialty ultrasounds: abdominal, OB/GYN, vascular and echocardiograms, ultrasound images of the heart.   Ultrasound of other body parts are called sonograms. Individuals who have completed specialized training in the field of diagnostic medical ultrasound are called sonographers.   “Sonographers are often the ‘eyes’ for the physicians reading ultrasounds and echocardiograms and it’s imperative that they know a lot about human anatomy and physiology,” said Charlee  Ruvo, clinical supervisor, MUSC Adult Echo Lab.   Sonographers who specialize in cardiac ultrasound are called echocardiographers, and those who specialize in ultrasound of the blood vessels are called vascular technologists.   The sonographer plays an important role in extracting information that’s necessary for  a patient’s diagnosis. Final diagnosis of an ultrasound test is conducted by the supervising physician.   To maintain certification, sonographers are required to earn CME credits each year, which ensures that they are updated in ultrasound technology and patient care. Additionally, supervising physicians may complete a fellowship in ultrasound.      For the past 50 years, technological advancements in medical ultrasound have had a tremendous impact on the quality of health care. The safety of medical ultrasound also has allowed this noninvasive imaging tool to become an increasingly popular in medical diagnoses.     At MUSC, the use of ultrasound is featured in multiple specialty areas including radiology, the Heart & Vascular Center and Adult Echo Lab. MUSC’s medical ultrasound community recognizes this nationwide campaign to increase medical ultrasound awareness by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography the American Society of Echocardiography, Cardiovas-cular Credentialing International, the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, and the Society for Vascular Ultrasound.   “It is important for all patients to understand the types of imaging study they are having, “ said Susan J. Ackerman, M.D., associate professor and division director of ultrasound, Department of Radiology.   Among the many benefits of medical ultrasound is that it’s safe and inexpensive. Patients are not exposed to any radiation, and the exam is fairly quick and inexpensive compared to other imaging modalities such as MRI or CT scan.     Friday, Oct. 19, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.