2025, Vol. 8, Issue 4, Part A

Author(s)
Shanmuga Eswari Mariappan and P Nanthagopal

Abstract
Ultrasound refers to sound waves that operate at frequencies exceeding 20 kHz. In atmospheric conditions, ultrasonic waves in air possess wavelengths of 1.9 cm or shorter. These ultrasonic devices are employed for object detection and distance measurement. Ultrasound imaging stands out as one of the most rapidly evolving techniques in medical diagnostics and treatment. Advancements such as elastography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography have greatly enhanced tissue characterization and vascular evaluation, while super-resolution and molecular imaging methods provide new perspectives on tissue microvasculature, inflammation, and angiogenesis. The integration of these functional and molecular insights with radiomics improves the diagnostic and prognostic capabilities of ultrasound. In addition to its diagnostic applications, ultrasound demonstrates significant therapeutic potential, with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) currently under investigation for tumor ablation, and microbubble-mediated sonoporation facilitating targeted drug and gene delivery. Technological advancements have broadened the application of ultrasound into various industrial and scientific fields, including non-destructive testing, cleaning, and even the generation of sonoluminescence for experimental physics. Despite its non-invasive, non-ionizing, and widely available characteristics, the reproducibility of ultrasonographic examinations is still constrained by operator variability, a challenge that can be mitigated through standardization and automated image analysis. This review offers a thorough examination of contemporary trends and translational innovations in diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound, highlighting their clinical importance and the prospective future of this vital modality.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33545/26644436.2025.v8.i4a.495

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