History of ultrasound in obstetrics and gynaecology from 1971 to 2021 on occasion of the 50 years anniversary of EFSUMB

Abstract

Diagnostic ultrasound in obstetrics and gynaecology has experienced a fantastic evolution during the past seven decades. Initial steps with A-mode technology were followed by B-mode and B-mode real-time imaging, then by Doppler and colour Doppler ultrasound, and finally by 3D/4D ultrasound. Other evolutionary steps were the development of high-resolution transabdominal and transvaginal transducers providing high quality images in the first, second and third trimesters of pregancy, as well as in gynaecology and breast imaging.The progression from two-dimensional (2D) to three-dimensional ultrasound (3D) and 3D real-time imaging (4D) has brought new options in displaying anatomical structures. In comparison with CT or MRI, it is not a static but functional technique, cheap and safe, and applicable at any time.

History of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)

“…It was detected by chance that Levovist ® also shows some enhancement in the liver in the post-vascular phase (after clearance from the blood stream), owing to an uptake by phagocytosing cells (Kupffer cells in the liver sinusoids) [23][24][25][26]. This was helpful in discriminating hepatic from non-hepatic tissue [25,27] (fig [1][2][3].…”

“…The 50 th year of the European Federation of Societies in Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) has been celebrated 2022 publishing articles on the history of ultrasound (US) [1][2][3][4]. Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) allows to visualize blood flow and tissue perfusion.…”

Comments and illustrations of the WFUMB CEUS liver guidelines: Rare vascular pathology, part II

“…In the updated WFUMB and EFSUMB Guidelines 2020, this recommendation was not specifically formulated [4,5]. We also refer to the history of ultrasound in Europe and the first guidelines on CEUS [68,69]. CEUS can also be used to delineate more accurately vascular thromboses and confirm stenoses when duplex examination is inconclusive [8,9].…”

Der Staffelstab wird weitergereicht

“…Auf dem Gebiet der Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe seien hier die technischen Entwicklungen bei den Ultraschallgeräten mit der hohen Bildqualität in der 2D-Sonografie, die Automatisierung bei der Doppler-/Farbdoppler-Sonografie und die enorme Entwicklung bei der 3D/4D-Sonografie erwähnt 1 .…”

“…In the field of gynecology and obstetrics, technical developments in ultrasound devices, e. g., the high image quality of 2D sonography, the automation of Doppler/color Doppler sonography, and the significant development of 3D/4D sonography, should be mentioned here 1 .…”