Diagnostic Imaging (DI) residents and radiologists at the NUHS Whole Health Center in Lombard recently had the opportunity to use the newest in ultrasound technology from Konica Minolta.

Better known for evaluation of pregnancy, Diagnostic Ultrasound is utilized as a safe and non-invasive option for interns and clinicians to identify and investigate various diseases of the musculoskeletal system in both adults and children.

About four times a year, Konica Minolta lends the machines to National University’s radiology department for Dr. Tom Clark (NUHS ’78), a visiting faculty member, to train NUHS radiologists and residents on using diagnostic ultrasound. In addition to training on these devices, diagnostic imaging residents and radiologists also use the permanent ultrasound machine on site at the NUHS Whole Health Center.

Common ailments imaged include sports injuries such as, ligament and tendon injuries, Achilles tendon injury, median nerve entrapment associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, among others. Tendon degeneration and tears are easily visualized with Diagnostic Ultrasound and are easily graded for therapeutic purposes.

Chiropractic physicians have utilized Diagnostic Ultrasound for about 30 years, but in the last decade technology has become more advanced and image quality has improved significantly along with cost.

“Because of the relationship National University has with Joseph Scafide at Konica Minolta, the NUHS Lombard Whole Health Center has been able to offer additional ultrasound training to its DI residents for about four years,” said William Bogar, DC, DACBR, professor and chair of the DI Department and DI residency program.

Brandon German, DC, NUHS Diagnostic Imaging Senior Resident, added “Diagnostic Ultrasound is utilized to investigate soft tissue nodules and masses not visualized on conventional radiography.”  In addition, Dr. German utilizes Diagnostic Ultrasound as a general screen for gallstones, kidney stones and thyroid lesions. “We are able to perform dynamic – motion studies demonstrating supraspinatus impingement, posterior shoulder impingement and femoroacetabular impingement.”

One important aspect of Diagnostic Ultrasound is that it does not involve ionizing radiation or any harmful side effects. Compared to MRI scans, the ultrasound device is a much more cost-effective option for patients and is conveniently located in the Lombard clinic.

“Physicians can expect to find Diagnostic Ultrasound useful after graduation,” Dr. Bogar said. He added that interpreting the images and making a diagnosis requires a significant amount of practice and knowledge. Since Diagnostic Ultrasound is utilized on many NUHS clinic patients, NUHS DI residents get a lot of experience performing and interpreting ultrasound studies.

In addition to receiving referrals from the NUHS clinic physicians, offsite physicians are encouraged to refer patients to the clinic for ultrasound examinations.

To set up an appointment for a Diagnostic Ultrasound at the Lombard Whole Health Center all (630) 889-6832.