Ultrasound

General information:

The Ultrasound (US) section at Yale offers a complete range of US studies using state of the art equipment. The section is composed of world class faculty who provide sub-specialty US expertise in both vascular and non-vascular pathology that encompass a full range of diseases in adults. We are closely allied with our clinical colleagues through our collaboration in tumor boards and research projects, and we routinely provide same-day add-on services, such as fine needle aspiration for thyroid nodules and intra-operative assistance, to our referring providers. Our facilities at both the Smilow Cancer Center and our outpatient sites provide an unparalleled experience for all our patients

Clinical information:

The US section performs diagnostic ultrasound imaging of the abdomen, pelvis (gynecologic and first trimester pregnancy), and extremities. In addition, the section performs all vascular imaging including transcranial Doppler Imaging, evaluation of neck (carotid), abdomen, and pelvic vasculature, pre and post-op evaluation of peripheral vascular disease including stents and bypass grafts, renal artery stenosis, and hemodialysis access grafts. Specialized examinations including renal, pancreas, and liver transplant, elastography, transrectal US, musculoskeletal US, endocrine US (thyroid and parathyroid), scrotal US, and contrast enhanced US are also performed.

The section also performs non-invasive vascular screening studies including ABIs, PVRs and measurement of IMT (fibrointimal thickness) in the carotid arteries (a screen for asymptomatic cardiovascular disease). Yale US is accredited in vascular ultrasound by the ACR/AIUM.

Research directions

• GYN and first trimester US
• Dialysis graft US
• Carotid US
• IV US contrast
• Transplant complications imaged with US
• Prediction of thyroid cancer and location of Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA)'s by US imaging
• Correlation of vascular US with Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA), Computer assisted tomography (CTA) and cardiac echo
• Cranial ultrasound
• Vascular ultrasound
• Radiofrequency ablation and chemoembolization of liver tumors
• Venous access in oncology and hemodialysis patients
• Therapeutic ultrasound
• HIFU
• HIDU
• Histotripsy

Education content

The faculty in the US section are dedicated educators provide teaching services to medical students, sonography students, residents, fellows, and technologists. Resident education takes place on a daily basis through interactive readout sessions and there is a dedicated resident conference with a curriculum which cycles every 1.5 years.

The faculty also participate in the weekly Body Division Club conference where they lend their expertise to interesting cases shown by the fellows. The US section faculty also provides a separate fellowship lecture series which is given on Wednesdays and is divided amongst the faculty in the Body Division.

Medical students and physicians from other services (vascular surgery) routinely rotate through our various services and we regularly provide our expertise to help educate our technologist and sonography students.