Handheld Ultrasound: Technical Review and International Expert Consensus Recommendations
Background: Handheld ultrasound (HHUS) is increasingly used in point-of-care imaging because of its portability, accessibility, versatility, and comparatively low cost. Methods: This structured narrative technical review evaluated current HHUS technology, image quality and functionality, clinical applications, regulatory considerations, and future perspectives using recent literature, comparative studies, technical sources, and previous EFSUMB/WFUMB position papers. A structured SWOT analysis informed draft recommendations, which underwent three rounds of scientific discussion and revision by a 17-member international multidisciplinary expert panel. Each of the seven final recommendations was subsequently voted on separately, with consensus predefined as ≥80% agreement. Results: While HHUS devices are increasingly suitable for routine clinical use, further standardization, clinician training, and regulatory alignment are essential for widespread adoption. Conclusions: HHUS can expand access to focused ultrasound imaging, particularly in point-of-care and resource-limited settings. Its appropriate use requires task-specific device selection, adequate training, quality assurance, and recognition of its limitations compared with comprehensive ultrasound systems.
Authors
- Thomas Karlas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8109-8526)
- Adrian Goudie (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0176-1533)
- Peter James Snelling (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8579-445X)
- Moritz Herzog (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0676-6926)
- Vito Cantisani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1525-214X)
- Michael Bachmann Nielsen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9380-1688)
- Christian Jenssen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7008-6650)
- Christoph Frank Dietrich (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6015-6347)
- Daniel Wastl (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8099-0718)
- Michael Blaivas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7196-9765)
- Ole Graumann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9663-8361)
- Kathleen Möller (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9492-0141)
- Ahmed El Kaffas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5296-0247)
- Daniel Merkel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9615-3017)
- Christian Pállson Nolsøe
- X W Cui
- Yi Dong
Institutions
- University of Copenhagen (DK)
- University of South Carolina (US)
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University (CN)
- Gold Coast Hospital (AU)
- Fiona Stanley Hospital (AU)
- XinHua Hospital (CN)
- Aarhus University Hospital (DK)
- Rigshospitalet (DK)
- University of California San Diego (US)
- Zealand University Hospital (DK)
- Sana Klinikum Lichtenberg (DE)
- Accadis Hochschule Bad Homburg (DE)
- Krankenhaus Märkisch-Oderland (DE)
- University Hospital Leipzig (DE)
- Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane (DE)
- Zealand University Hospital Køge (DK)
- Tongji Hospital (CN)
- Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health (DE)
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology (CN)
- Technische Universität Dresden (DE)
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin (DE)
- Sapienza University of Rome (IT)
- Leipzig University (DE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Diagnostics
- Published
- 2026-10-04
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16193215
- Primary Topic
- Ultrasound in Clinical Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00