Ultrasound Artifacts Review

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering ultrasound artifacts, their types, causes, effects, and prevention strategies.

Ultrasound Artifacts

Visual discrepancies in imaging that do not accurately represent anatomical structures.

Recognition of Artifacts

Important for understanding tissue composition and diagnosing conditions.

Physical Limitations

Intrinsic constraints of ultrasound technology that lead to artifacts.

Assumptions of Ultrasound Imaging

Foundation principles assumed for generating ultrasound images.

Echoes

Reflected sound waves that produce images on a monitor.

Imaging Plane

The theoretically thin layer where images are captured.

Axial Resolution Artifact

Occurs when two objects close together cannot be distinguished.

Lateral Resolution Artifact

Occurs when two objects perpendicular to the ultrasound beam cannot be distinguished.

Elevational Resolution Artifact

Caused by the slice thickness of the ultrasound beam.

Contrast Resolution Artifact

Inability to differentiate between echoes of similar intensities.

Spatial Resolution Artifacts

Issues arising from monitor limitations affecting image detail.

Refraction Artifact

Change in sound direction at tissue boundaries.

Multipath Artifact

Results from sound paths being redirected before returning to the transducer.

Mirror Image Artifact

Duplicate appearances of structures due to reflections from strong reflectors.

Comet Tail Artifact

Series of closely spaced echoes resulting from strong reflectors.

Reverberation Artifact

Multiple evenly spaced echoes on an ultrasound image.

Propagating Speed Error Artifact

Misplacement of echoes when sound speed differs from expected.

Focal Banding Artifact

Increased brightness in regions where multiple foci are used.

Lobe Artifacts

Displacement of structures due to reflections from side or grating lobes.

Shadowing Artifacts

Reduction of echoes beyond a strongly attenuating structure.

Enhancement Artifacts

Increased echoes beneath weakly attenuating structures.

Doppler Artifacts

Artifacts related to flow measurements in ultrasound.

Cross Talk Artifact

Occurs when signals leak from one Doppler channel to another.

Aliasing

Cardiovascular phenomenon where high flow velocities are misrepresented.

Ghosting Artifact

False echoes caused by low-frequency movements of tissue.

Twinkle Artifact

Rapid alternation of color behind stationary echogenic objects.

Tissue Vibration Artifact

Created by vibrations in tissue adjacent to blood vessels.

Flash Artifact

Artifact produced by patient or device movement during scanning.

Axial Resolution

The ability to distinguish between two objects along the beam axis.

Lateral Resolution

The ability to distinguish between two objects across the beam width.

Slice Thickness

The measurement of the ultrasound beam in the third dimension.

Sound speed

The velocity at which ultrasound waves travel through tissue.

Intensity of Reflection

The strength of echoes received based on scattering properties.

Transducer

Device that converts electrical energy into ultrasound waves.

High-Frequency Transducers

Devices that provide better axial resolution.

Doppler Gain

Adjustable setting that controls the intensity of received signals.

Low Pixel Density

Results in decreased image resolution and clarity.

Spatial Compounding

Technique used to improve diagnostic information on images.

Near Gain

Ultrasound gain settings affecting superficial structure clarity.

NYQUIST Limit

The maximum frequency that can be accurately sampled.

Doppler Shift

The change in frequency of ultrasound waves caused by motion.

B-mode

Brightness mode displaying amplitude of echoes as shades of gray.

Image Calibration

Adjustment processes to ensure accurate representation of structures.

TGC (Time Gain Compensation)

Adjustment applied to echoes based on depth of the structure.

Pulsed Wave Doppler

A technique to measure blood flow velocities.

Continuous Wave Doppler

A method to assess continuous blood flow without aliasing.

Color Doppler Imaging

Technique that provides flow direction and velocity visualization.

Beam Width

The diameter of the ultrasound beam as it travels through tissue.

Beam Focusing

Technique used to improve lateral resolution by narrowing the beam.

Soft Tissue Interface

Boundary between different types of soft tissues affecting ultrasound.

Artifact Interpretation

The process of determining the clinical significance of artifacts.

Depth Accuracy

Refers to how accurately the position of structures is displayed.

Phase Cancellation

Describes loss of signals due to overlapping echoes.

Harmonics

Higher frequency signals that can reduce certain artifacts.

Edge Reflection

Occurs at boundaries causing misleading echo placements.

Multilayer Interfaces

Multiple reflections occurring at the boundary of tissues.

Cystic Structures

Fluid-filled cavities that may demonstrate specific artifacts.

Anechoic

Describing areas on an image that appear free of echoes.

Hypoechoic

Referring to areas that reflect fewer echoes than surrounding tissues.

Hyperechoic

Referring to areas that reflect more echoes, indicating greater density.

Tissue Motion

Movement of tissues affecting echo placement.

Probe Angle

The direction from which the ultrasound transducer is aimed.

Color Flow Signals

Doppler signals showing flow direction and velocity in color.

Contrast Agents

Substances injected to enhance ultrasound images.

Quality Control

Procedures to ensure consistent operational effectiveness of ultrasound systems.

Clinical Implications

Real-world consequences of artifact interpretations in patient care.

Patient Factors

Individual variations in anatomy impacting ultrasound results.

Equipment Design

Influences artifact generation based on technology used.

Technical Skill

Operator expertise in adjusting settings to minimize artifacts.

Image Clarity

Quality of detail represented within an ultrasound image.

Monitoring Techniques

Methods used to track artifacts and enhance image quality.

Diagnostic Utility

Effectiveness of ultrasound imaging in clinical diagnosis.

Ultrasound Physics

Scientific principles underlying ultrasound technology.

Clinical Practice

The application of ultrasound in healthcare for diagnosis.

Patient Comfort

Consideration of patient experience during ultrasound examinations.

Training and Education

Processes necessary for ultrasound personnel to minimize artifacts.

Customization

Adjusting ultrasound settings specific to patient needs.

Insonation

Process of sending ultrasound waves into the body.

Volume Averaging

Effect seen when beams interact with multiple reflectors.