Orientation to scanning

anechoic

completely black, no internal echoes

hyperechoic

light gray-bright white; more echoes than the surrounding tissue

very hyperechoic / echogenic

brilliant white; strong reflector

isoechoic

similar brightness to reference tissue; same echogenicity as adjacent structure

hypoechoic

dark gray, fewer echoes than surrounding tissue

heterogeneous

coarse echotexture- tissue/organ structures have varying echo characteristics

homogenous

smooth echotexture- echoes in the image or area of interest are of equal intensity

diffuse

the disease process was seen throughout the entire kidney, but overall, is ill-defined

focal

a single lesion was found in the liver

simple cyst

anechoic lumen, thin smooth walls, posterior enhancement, well-defined

complex lesion

cystic and solid components; may be described as having a thickened wall, nodularity, septations, hypervascularity, and more

multiple

many lesions were seen in the spleen