Development of health risk evaluation data for diagnostic ultrasound: a historical perspective.

The growth of ultrasound applications in diagnostic medicine has helped stimulate related biological effects investigations. Current data related to effects associated with diagnostic ultrasound indicate the need for additional research on cell surface structures, motility and developmental effects. Research on biological effects, especially for evaluating in vivo end points analogous to those employed by investigators using in vitro systems and simple organisms, are needed. Particular emphasis relative to potential effects on fetal and embroyonic development is indicated. Limited data also suggest the need to investigate possible effects on the immune response. There is a growing realization of the potential importance of nonthermal effects and increasing evidence that the temporal peak intensity is potentially related to the production of some effects. A number of recent comprehensive reviews have helped identify, analyze and evaluate some of the relevant data.