Regarding the Content and Goals of UIM/EJU

The successful collaboration among Ultraschall in der Medizin/ European Journal of Ultrasound (UiM/EJU), DEGUM, ÖGUM and SGUM as well as Thieme Verlag was confirmed in the respective general meetings in Davos recently, and it was agreed that such cooperation should continue in coming years. Last year, in discussions with the previous DEGUM board of directors the issue of orientation of the content of UiM/EJU, among other things, was an essential topic. Briefly stated, the constructive criticism was: too much science, too little continuing education. It is worthwhile and necessary to address this criticism.The purpose of our clinically-oriented journal is to present the state of the art of multidisciplinary ultrasound in medicine, consistent with the objectives of scientific organizations as well to promote the analysis and communication of this medical technology to the user. This balancing act is difficult for our journal; the limited scope and high number of manuscript submissions result in a rejection rate of over 80 %. Consequently it is hardly possible to cover all special fields in every edition. Nevertheless, in almost 20 years of editorial activity, we have received fewer than five letters from readers criticizing our selection of content.As a journal with German roots, the bilingual diversified CME contributions represent the core of our continuing education opportunities, including pictorial essays and case reports, as well as consensus papers and articles on quality control. In conjunction with the EFSUMB, a series of guidelines has been published, available to everyone - not just subscribers of UiM/EJU. Guidelines are important, since they have an influence on the practice and quality of ultrasound applications in diagnosis and therapy. Calculated in terms of pages and percentages, this is more than just a little, since clinically-related scientific articles also represent the requirement for continuing education within the rules of the medical profession.Considered retrospectively, contents of recent volumes of UiM/EJU - apart from the large block of obstetrical articles - were dominated by CEUS, elastography, the breast and "small parts".Although CEUS has been established scientifically 1 2 3 4, but not really employed everywhere, additional articles are needed in order to help integrate the use of contrast agents in routine practice apart from examination of the liver 5 6 7 8 9 10. Likewise, we have endeavored to support elastography as a new technical feature of sonography. Examples of this are publications regarding its use in diagnosing diseases of the liver 11 12 13 14 15, breast 16 17 18 19 and the thyroid 20, as well as its use in examining the pancreas 21 and gastrointestinal tract 22.In addition, for the benefit of sonographers, who are used to observing associated fields from the sidelines, we have presented unexpected highlights, such as articles on peripheral nerves 23 24 25.The contents of this year's final edition present the common interdisciplinary perspective of the editorial team. In addition to a CME article on elastography in the diagnosis of breast cancer 26, we would particularly refer you to two prospective articles: on the importance of CEUS in the aftercare of colon cancer 27 and the value of high-frequency examination of the liver surface compared to elastography and laparoscopy when cirrhosis is suspected 28.Further articles on elastography 29 30 31 32 indicate that the possibilities and limitations of this technology have yet to be reached.As editors, we will be satisfied if the publication interests as many readers as possible, be it online or in the print version, and that they are able to read about new as well as established techniques. We are certain that the societies for ultrasound in medicine, UiM/EJU, and "our sonographic community" are excited to learn about scientific advancements, and we are pleased when, thanks to submissions by our active and innovative authors together with reviewers and our advisory committee, we can set our sights on new topics.