NEEDS AUDIO NARRATIVE FROM DOCS
In a focused diagnostic imaging session, Dr. Leslie Valle Montoya conducted ultrasound scans on four volunteer patients using the Terason uSmart 3200T, a portable, high-resolution ultrasound system well suited for point-of-care evaluation and multi-region assessment. The initiative centered on establishing baseline imaging data in individuals with known or suspected environmental toxin exposures, providing a foundation for longitudinal monitoring, research collaboration, and early clinical insight.
The primary emphasis of the scanning protocol was the
thyroid gland, a highly sensitive organ often affected by environmental contaminants, endocrine disruptors, and inflammatory processes. Using high-frequency ultrasound, Dr. Valle Montoya assessed thyroid size, symmetry, echotexture, and vascular patterns—key indicators of thyroid health that can reveal early signs of dysfunction, autoimmune activity, nodular development, or inflammatory change. Because ultrasound is non-ionizing and safe for repeated use, it is particularly valuable in baseline studies and follow-up assessments where cumulative radiation exposure is a concern.
Beyond the thyroid, the scans extended to peripheral structures, including cervical lymph nodes and the carotid arteries. Evaluation of lymphatic tissue provides insight into immune activation or inflammatory burden, which may be associated with chronic toxin exposure. Carotid artery imaging, including assessment of vessel structure and blood flow, offers an additional window into systemic vascular health—an important consideration given emerging research linking environmental toxins to endothelial dysfunction and altered circulation.
In one of the sessions, Dr. Valle Montoya also performed a
breast ultrasound examination on a separate patient. This scan focused on identifying tissue architecture, density variations, and vascular patterns, reinforcing the role of ultrasound as a valuable adjunct tool for breast health evaluation, particularly in individuals with environmental or occupational exposure histories. While not a replacement for conventional screening protocols, ultrasound can provide meaningful supplementary information, especially in dense tissue or targeted diagnostic contexts.
A defining feature of this initiative is the collaboration with Dr. Robert L. Bard, a New York–based radiologist and internationally recognized thyroid imaging specialist. Dr. Bard’s expertise lies in advanced image interpretation, pattern recognition, and correlating ultrasound findings with clinical, metabolic, and environmental data. His role in this collaboration underscores the importance of not only acquiring high-quality images, but also applying expert diagnostic interpretation to extract clinically relevant meaning from subtle findings.
Together, this collaborative effort reflects a growing movement toward
preventive, image-guided health assessment, particularly in populations exposed to environmental toxins. By establishing clear imaging baselines across multiple anatomical regions, clinicians can better track change over time, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and identify early deviations from normal before symptoms escalate.
This project highlights how modern portable ultrasound technology, combined with skilled operators and expert interpretive collaboration, can play a pivotal role in advancing environmental health monitoring—bringing precision, safety, and insight to the front lines of preventive medicine.
