Recent progress in diagnostic ultrasound techniques

Norbert Gritzmann and David H Evans

The introduction of multi-row technology has revolutionized computed tomography in the past few years. Fast sequences, high SENSE factors and strong gradients have improved MR substantially. This has led to new indications for both techniques, as for example in cardiac imaging. Has similar progress occurred in ultrasound imaging? The answer to this question must surely be yes, the improvements may not appear as revolutionary as in CT or MR, but there is little doubt that giant strides have been made in ultrasound technology and that the resultant images are constantly improving and contributing more diagnostic information. In what follows some new applications of sonography are evaluated.

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