ULTRASOUND Messages for November, 2002: Re: 4D IMAGING

Re: 4D IMAGING

From: James S Smeltzer MD

gaperina@mindspring.com

Tue Nov 19 21:22:45 2002

Thank you for reminding me of this simple fact. Bonding is an established and quite legitimate benefit of ultrasonography that outweighs ALARA and all credentialling, and which may legitimately checkmate all attempts to defeat the hucksters in this area.

The ability to see and understand the complexity of the fetus one nurtures may help women choose life over abortion.

I was wrong. As long a s there is no established harm, and the power levels are within FDA acceptable ranges, there should be absolutely no restrictions on ultrasonography. Most of the innovations we have been able to make have been the result of technical improvements and those pioneers who were able to break new ground with them.

I remember the first time I "gloved" a 5MHz GE phase array sector to use as a vaginal probe - years before GE got around to making one.

I do not think that marketing 4D ultrasound with no proven diagnostic benefit is ethical however. It creates the illusion of better without the facts.

Otherwise I completely retract what I said, and will speak no more about quality or credentialing. Let the plaintiff's attorneys sort out the marketplace.

Jim Smeltzer, MD, FACOG

At 08:25 AM 10/11/2002 -0500, you wrote: >Dr. Smeltzer, Those are harsh words. The entertainment video people
>perhaps are under "snake oil, etc" but simply because it's new and the
>imaging community hasn't worked through the who, what, where and how yet
>doesn't make it a gimmick. I once worked with a radiologist who would
>not buy a real time machine because he didn't trust the "numbers it"
>produced?.....I still remember looking at him and thinking what are you
>afraid of?
>
>Those of use who have been in the middle of this great technology and
>it's evolution should be accustomed to the wait and see. And all the
>promotional hype! I must admit the commercial people have out done
>themselves in the marketing sector this time. I don't think the control
>we have lost is lost forever. It is up to us to determine how to use
>and then educate. Dr. DeVore did a great job of demonstrating the
>simplicity of how remarkable "4D" can be to educate the patient and the
>extreme bonding they express during and following. I find it all very
>interesting. I also have heard about "bonding rooms" in Germany for the
>family to view the tape following the procedure with an opportunity to
>discuss, etc.
>
>We shall see. As for the patient who initiated this question. Perhaps
>you should talk to your managing physician.
>
>Jeanette
>
>>>> gaperina@mindspring.com 10/11/02 12:07AM >>>
>Try yellow pages after quacks and before snake oil salesmen. This
>modality
>is a marketing gimmick that must be used by those with inferior skills
>or
>inadequate incomes.. Unless you have a specific syndrome in your
>family
>that is hard to diagnose with normal ultrasound but might be easier
>with 4D.
>
>Jim Smeltzer
>
>At 09:43 AM 10/7/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>>Try http://www.gemedicalsystems.com/4D. That should help, good luck.
>>
>>At Mon, 16 Sep 2002, theyne503 wrote:
>>>
>>>HOW CAN I FIND DOCTORS, OR HOSPITALS IN MY AREA, WITHOUT HAVING TO
>CALL
>EVERYONE IN THE YELLOW PAGES ABOUT WHERE TO GET 4D ULTRASOUND? ARE THEY
>SO
>NEW THAT NOT MANY DOCTORS OFFICES HAVE THEM? I HAVE CALLED ALOT OF
>OBGYN'S
>TO SEE IF THEY ARE AVAILIBLE IN THEIR OFFICE'S, AND SO FAR, NO ONE HAS
>EVEN HEARD OF THEM... I WOULD LIKE TO GET ONE SOON. COULD YOU HELP?
>THANKS, TONI HEYNE theyne503@attbi.com
>>
>

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