Current uses for ultrasound technology through the eyes of a search engine

A simple Google search for “ultrasound” retrieves a plethora of information regarding uses for ultrasonography. Not surprisingly, the top results reveal the uses of ultrasound for the detection of pregnancy and for use by veterinarians (which are frequently discussed by veterinary ultrasound specialist sites). However, this article focuses on the somewhat more unusual uses that have been documented for ultrasound.

Ultrasound intercoms have been specifically designed for the emergency services, including airport rescue and fire fighting trucks to aid in the safety of the respective crews (Sigtronics). Furthermore, although ultrasound imaging has not proven to be an effective choice with respect to body scanning at airport security, abdominal ultrasonography has had more success in the detection of drug smuggling (Meijer, R. et al. 2003). It is also put into practice in the cattle show ring to detect silicone implants in cow’s udders (yes, really!).

Ultrasound can also have therapeutic applications, with the high frequency waves working to vibrate the body’s cells. As a result, ultrasound treatment can be used in pain relief, scar reduction, skin and muscle rejuvenation and circulation. In the field of veterinary ultrasound, it is commonly used in equine therapy. It is worth noting that therapeutic ultrasound works at power levels far greater than ultrasound used for imaging, which is why there is a safe limit to the amount of therapeutic ultrasound treatment a patient can undergo, whereas for diagnostic imaging there are no safety concerns.

For cosmetic applications, as this is a non-invasive procedure, it is easy to see how this treatment may be preferable to a treatment such as Botox (not for the needle-phobic)!

Furthermore, ultrasonography can be used as a diagnostic tool for cancer and as a method by which to assess the effects of treatment. A major advantage of ultrasound is the lack of side effects following scanning and the ability of the patient to immediately return to their daily life (NHS). However, these applications are by no means exhaustive. Over 61 million results were retrieved following a Google search for ‘ultrasound’. Following on, it is therefore easy to understand the versatility of ultrasound technology, whether it be for veterinarians, physicians or the emergency services.