Background Despite the increasing role of ultrasound, structured ultrasound teaching is only slowly being integrated into the curricula of medical schools and universities all over Europe. Aim To survey the current situation at European universities regarding the integration of ultrasound in student medical education and to report on models of student ultrasound training from selected European universities. Methods A questionnaire survey focusing on the implementation of curricular ultrasound education was sent out to the 28 presidents of the national ultrasound societies of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB), who were asked to distribute the questionnaires to the medical universities of their countries. Results Overall, 53 questionnaires were returned from 46 universities in 17 European countries. In most of the universities (40/46 universities, 87%), the theoretical background of ultrasound is taught. However, in only a minority of universities is ultrasound integrated in anatomy courses (8/46 universities, 17%) or basic science courses (16/46 universities, 35%). Practical skills in ultrasound are taught in 56% of the universities (26/46 universities) and tested in a practical exam in seven of the responding universities (15%). The number of hours in which ultrasound was taught ranged from one to 58 (mean, seven). The respondents reported that lack of time and limited faculty funding were major hurdles. Conclusion According to our survey, only a minority of European universities has integrated ultrasound into the preclinical curriculum thus far. Future EFSUMB initiatives will continue to promote the introduction of ultrasound as an integrative part of the core curriculum of student medical education, and the preparation of proper teaching material.

This study showed a significant increase of the myometrial stiffness estimated with shear wave elastography use in patients with adenomyosis.

This statement summarises basic settings in lung ultrasonography and best practice recommendations for lung ultrasonography in COVID-19, representing the agreed consensus of experts from the Ultrasound Subcommittee of the European Society of Radiology (ESR). Standard lung settings and artefacts in lung ultrasonography are explained for education and training, equipment settings, documentation and self-protection.

This first position paper of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) on professional standards presents a common position across the different medical professions within EFSUMB regarding optimal standards for the performing and reporting of ultrasound examinations by any professional ultrasound operator. It describes general aspects of professionality that ensure procedure quality, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability in virtually all application fields of medical ultrasound. Recommendations are given related to safety and indication of ultrasound examinations, requirements for examination rooms, structured examination, systematic reporting of results, and management, communication and archiving of ultrasound data. The print version of this article is a short version. The long version is published online.

The paper presents Consensus Guidelines of Russian Society of Radiology (RSR) and Russian Association of Specialists in Ultrasound Diagnostics in Medicine (RASUDM) «Role of imaging (X-ray, CT and US) in diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia» (version 2) of the Russian Society of Radiology and the Russian Association of Specialists in Ultrasound Diagnostics in Medicine.The guidelines list radiological techniques for lung diseases, which are used in coronavirus COVID-19 infection (chest X-ray, lung computed tomography (CT), and lung ultrasound (US), diagnostic algorithm, and follow-up study. The guidelines propose the models of the work of radiological rooms/departments of a healthcare facility, the procedure for conducting an examination, and recommendations for providing a description and assessing changes in the lung and chest in existing/suspected COVID-19-related pneumonia and present the schemes of X-ray and CT protocols at the initial examination and assessment of the changes.Chest X-ray has a low sensitivity for detecting initial changes in the first days of the disease and is not recommended for early diagnosis. Mobile radiography is an important tool for diagnosis of lung pathology in the intensive care units.CT is the most sensitive technique in detecting lung changes characteristic of COVID-19-related pneumonia. It is advisable to use CT for the initial evaluation of thoracic organs in patients with severe and progressive forms of the disease, as well as for the differential diagnosis and follow up.Lung US in patients with suspected/known COVID-19-related pneumonia is an additional imaging method that does not replace or exclude X-ray and CT. If the correct procedure is followed, correct indications are selected, and trained medical personnel is available, this study is highly sensitive in detecting interstitial changes and consolidations in lung tissue, but only in their subpleural location. The US data do not always allow definite determination of the reasons for the occurrence and/or actual extent of lung tissue changes.Standard reporting guidelines (CT, X-ray) about the possibility of COVID-19 pneumonia and its severity should be used.The follow up using CT, X-ray, or US depends on the clinical indications that necessitate dynamic assessment. The recommended frequency of repeat CT and X-ray in patients having no substantial changes in their clinical condition outside the intensive care units is not more than once every 5-7 days. An objective assessment of the time course of changes is possible only when comparing the data of the same type of study.