Variation in the origin of arteries is a fairly common occurrence. Some of these variations are considered inconsequential, whereas others can have serious implications for medical procedures. The authors present an unusual case demonstrating an anomalous branching of the superior thyroid artery from the distal common carotid artery.

Multicystic dysplastic kidney is a congenital anomaly that can affect the kidneys. It is generally unilateral and is characterized by multiple noncommunicating cysts in the renal parenchyma. This disease usually results in an enlarged, nonfunctioning kidney in the neonate. Recent advances in diagnostic medical imaging, especially in sonography, have enabled earlier detection of this disease, created better management and treatment options, and resulted in improved outcomes for patients. This case study demonstrates the use of early detection with sonography and the utilization of it for follow-up care. Sonography is ranked as the imaging modality of choice for patients with a clinical condition of renal failure and has the potential for an improved outcome for patients.

Wilson disease, also known as hepatolenticular degeneration, is a disorder in the liver that results in the improper metabolism of copper, which leads to accumulation of excessive amounts of this vital trace element in the liver, brain, eyes, and other organs. Although copper is essential for normal physiologic function, it can become toxic and lifethreatening when too much is present within critical organs, especially the liver and the brain. There is no cure for Wilson disease, and patients affected with this disorder face a lifetime of treatment. Fortunately, the disease is very treatable if diagnosed before significant damage to the liver or brain occurs. This article presents a case study on Wilson disease and the role of sonography in helping diagnose and monitor patients with this condition.

The occurrence of an ectopic pregnancy that implants within the peritoneal cavity is a rare, life-threatening event. Poor maternal and fetal outcome, especially in pregnancies within the range considered to be viable, is the norm, with most abdominal ectopic pregnancies being terminated early in gestation. We present a case study in which the abdominal pregnancy was detected in the second trimester by sonography and confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging, both of which are considered essential diagnostic tools to provide optimal outcome for maternal and fetal well-being.

The requirement for continuing medical education in health care originated in the early 1900s when several investigators in the United States determined that the training physicians were receiving was woefully inadequate. The Flexner Report, which was based on an extensive analysis of how the early medical schools were educating physicians, proposed several radical changes in physician instruction, including a recommendation for postgraduate training. Now known as continuing medical education (CME), this obligation is practically universal in the medical and allied health fields including sonography. Although there are many options for the diagnostic medical sonographer to earn CME credits, the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) instituted a unique program for sonographers to earn credits by providing clinical instruction to sonography students. By using electronic data collection and management systems, it is now easy for sonography program directors to submit their clinical instructors for CME credits through the SDMS.