Paediatrics | Reflecting on the past and building the future of paediatric sonography
Tracks
Room 8 | Virtual
Paediatrics
| Friday, May 29, 2026 |
| 12:30 PM - 1:20 PM |
| Rm 8 | First Floor |
Speaker
Assoc Prof Roger Gent
Chief Sonographer, Paediatric Ultrasound
SAMI - Women's and Children's Hospital
History of paediatric ultrasound
12:30 PM - 1:10 PMPresentation Synopsis / Abstract
The Adelaide Children's Hospital (now Women's and Children's Hospital) was the first children's hospital in Australia to acquire a diagnostic ultrasound system, in 1976. This year marks the 50-year anniversary of that purchase.
This presentation shows, step by step, the progression of the modality from day one, when images consisted of nine shades of grey saved on polaroid film, to the present-day images with markedly improved resolution and different modes of operation.
The primitive characteristics of early ultrasound images demonstrate how indebted we are to the clinicians who referred patients to the service in the early years, clearly in anticipation of things to come.
The presentation also highlights the technical developments that allowed huge improvements in image quality, resulting in ultrasound replacing many X-ray investigations, avoiding ionising radiation exposure and becoming such a valuable part of current medical imaging for children.
This presentation shows, step by step, the progression of the modality from day one, when images consisted of nine shades of grey saved on polaroid film, to the present-day images with markedly improved resolution and different modes of operation.
The primitive characteristics of early ultrasound images demonstrate how indebted we are to the clinicians who referred patients to the service in the early years, clearly in anticipation of things to come.
The presentation also highlights the technical developments that allowed huge improvements in image quality, resulting in ultrasound replacing many X-ray investigations, avoiding ionising radiation exposure and becoming such a valuable part of current medical imaging for children.
Biography
Assoc Prof Roger Gent |
SAMI - Women's and Children's Hospital
Roger Gent has had an involvement in diagnostic ultrasound for more than 40 years, with particular interest in paediatric sonography and the physics of ultrasound. He has lectured on the physics of ultrasound for many years. He is the author or co-author of more than seventy articles, has received several awards from professional ultrasound bodies, is an Honorary Fellow of ASUM and was a member of the ASUM DMU Board of Examiners for twenty years. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2009, for services to Paediatric Ultrasound.
Mr Jackson Monck
Sonographer/Radiographer
North Canberra Hospital
Growing paediatric ultrasound capability through shared learning **NEW VOICE**
1:10 PM - 1:20 PMPresentation Synopsis / Abstract
This presentation explores the benefits of shared learning between tertiary centres and secondary hospitals to enhance paediatric ultrasound capability. Initiated through collaboration at ASA 2025, the project centred on a one‑week placement at Queensland Children’s Hospital (QCH). This offered valuable exposure to complex pathology, paediatric specialised workflows, and multidisciplinary clinical practice. Key learnings included protocol refinements, practical scanning techniques, and strategies for improving the patient experience in paediatric imaging.
Comparing departments highlighted significant differences in resources, caseload volume, and specialist availability. This underscored the importance of shared learning to bridge capability gaps. Several illustrative cases demonstrate the clinical impact of refined scanning approaches. Additionally, a clinical improvement initiative focused on pyelonephritis assessment revealed further opportunities to enhance diagnostic consistency.
Overall, the presentation emphasises collaboration, the translation of tertiary‑level expertise into smaller hospital settings, and future directions for strengthening paediatric ultrasound services.
Comparing departments highlighted significant differences in resources, caseload volume, and specialist availability. This underscored the importance of shared learning to bridge capability gaps. Several illustrative cases demonstrate the clinical impact of refined scanning approaches. Additionally, a clinical improvement initiative focused on pyelonephritis assessment revealed further opportunities to enhance diagnostic consistency.
Overall, the presentation emphasises collaboration, the translation of tertiary‑level expertise into smaller hospital settings, and future directions for strengthening paediatric ultrasound services.
Biography
Mr Jackson Monck |
North Canberra Hospital
Jackson is an accredited Sonographer and Radiographer at North Canberra Hospital, where he focuses on providing excellence in diagnostic imaging. He is passionate about advancing ultrasound practice by fostering collaboration and championing patient centred care.
