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Article: Ultrasound makes waves. (includes related articles)
- Article from:
- FDA Consumer
- Article date:
- December 1, 1991
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1991 U.S. Government Printing Office. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Ultrasound became a household word in the 1970s, when it was readily embraced by obstetricians, who used the high-frequency sound to peer into the womb. Many mothers "saw" their children before they were even born, thanks to ultrasound, which often suggested whether to buy pink or blue baby outfits, among other things.
With recent improvements in ultrasound's image quality and ease of use, this technology has found its way into almost every branch of medicine. Physicians now use ultrasound to detect tumors, aneurysms, blood clots, detached retinas, heart abnormalities, and kidney stones. Ultrasound can also map plaque buildup on arteries, and assess if a ...