Live scanning of pregnant models for equipment exhibitions.

摘要

To the Editor-in-Chief: It is generally accepted that there is no substantiated evidence of adverse human health effects of diagnostic ultrasound. The use of diagnostic ultrasound for medical purposes is not contra-indicated, particularly when a clear clinical benefit is expected. However, the issue becomes less comfortable when nonmedical applications are involved. The use of live model ultrasonography to simply view the fetus for demonstration purposes in commercial equipment exhibitions does not constitute medical use of diagnostic imaging. The potential risk, no matter how small, should be weighted heavily when there is little or no medical benefit to the scanned subject. The distinction between marketing, education and medical benefit can be blurred, nevertheless, it is important that ultrasound societies maintain professional standards to ensure minimization of risk. Live scanning of pregnant women purely for demonstrating ultrasound equipment at commercial exhibitions is a nonmedical practice that is not supported by the WFUMB since it imposes potential risks for the fetus while providing no medical benefit.