Why should physicians use “Ultrasound First” when imaging the female pelvis?
Ultrasound technology has evolved dramatically in recent years. Ultrasound is more cost-effective and safer than other imaging modalities — such as MRI or CT scan for many anatomic sites including imaging the female pelvis. Along with colleagues from the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, we are recommending the use of ultrasound first for female patients with pelvis symptoms, such as pelvic pain, evaluation of uterine bleeding and abnormalities and ovarian masses.
For many other appropriate clinical conditions, ultrasound offers clear safety and economic advantages over radiographic exams, and yet evidence suggests that ultrasound is underutilized. Many clinicians are unaware of the range of conditions for which ultrasound first is an established guideline, and the gap only grows larger as research extends ultrasound’s diagnostic value.
The use of handheld ultrasound has been incorporated into medical training curriculums. The goal is to empower future healthcare workers to feel comfortable with the ultrasound technology and thus expand its appropriate use in their future careers.
