Michael Riccabona

2014

Requisites and Applications

Ultrasound (US) has become the mainstay of paediatric radiology, particularly as neonates, infants and children offer ideal scanning conditions. Furthermore, with growing concern about radiation risks imposed to children for medical imaging, it has become even more important to exploit all options US may offer. Numerous papers have been written on this topic focusing on the child’s increased radiation sensitivity. Many campaigns have been initiated to promote radiation protection awareness throughout the world, such as the Image Gently campaign in the United States. However, children will continue to need medical imaging, and when trying to avoid irradiating methods such as CT and fluoroscopy, alternative non-invasive imaging must be available. Ultrasound is a relatively inexpensive, non-invasive and non-radiating imaging modality that promises to comply with all this requirements and must be promoted as the major initial modality.