Sonographic Imaging Terms

Echo

Acoustic signal received from scattering elements or a specular reflector

How is an echo produced

At an interface

What is an interface

It is where 2 tissues with a difference in chan and density come in contact with each other

Reflection

The change in direction of a wavefront at an interface between two different media so that the wavefront returns into the medium from which it originated.

As the difference between tissues ______, the percentage of sound reflected will ________.

Increase, Increase

When tissues at an interface have the same velocity and density, ___________.

there is no reflection

Transducer

any device that converts one form of energy into another

Echogenic

Also known as hyperechoic, tissue that produces echoes, much brighter, change in echogenicity can signify pathological condition

Hyperechoic

AKA echogenic, tissue that produces echoes, very bright, producing echoes of higher amplitude and or density than normal for the surrounding medium

Isoechoic

Having the same echogenicoty as adjacent tissue (looks the same shade)

Hypoechoic

Producing echoes of lower amplitude and or density than normal for the surrounding meedium, low level echoes within a structure

Other words for hypoechoic

Sonolucent, anechoic, transonic

Sonolucent, anechoic, transonic

Without internal echoes, fluid filled structure, transmits sound easily

Texture

The echo pattern within an organ, could be homogeneous, or irregular. Fine, medium, and coarse.

Irregular boarders

Borders are not well-defined, ill-defined, or not present

Diffuse

Having no borders, distributed throughout, not concentrated or localized

Homogeneus

Opposite of heterogeneous, completley uniform in texture and composition, even amplitude of echoes, even texture throughout the organ or structure

Heterogeneous

not uniform in texture or composition, uneven amplitude of echoes, uneven texture of structrures or echoes throughout the organ

Infiltrating

Refers to a diffuse disease process, metastatic disease

Cyst

Spherical, fluid-filled structure, well-defined wall, contains few or no internal echoes, exhibits good acoustic enhancement

Cystic

Well-defined borders, fluid-filled structure, no other structures within, no echoes within, anechoic, have same internal characteristics of a cyst, increased through transmission

Cystic in ultrasound

In ultrasound, the word “cystic” does not necessarily refer to a cyst, term is used inaccurately to describe any fluid-filled structure, such as gallstones or kidney stones

Solid

A mass or organ that contains uniform low-level echoes. Can have irregular boarders, internal echoes, decreased through-transmission

Complex

Structure having solid, fluid, fibrous, or fat. Will have a mixture of echoes from within

Loculated Mass

Well-defined borders, with internal echoes, septa may be thick or thin

Focus

Single area or structure within a cystic structure or within a solid organ

Foci

Pleural for focus

Ultrasound window

Using part of the existing anatomy to “see through” another part of the anatomy

Artifact

Based on assumptions of sound propogation, can hinder or be helpful

Shadowing

Failure of the sound beam to pass through an object. The sound beam is attenuated, blockage can be caused by the reflection or absorption of the sound beam. No transmission of sound, sound is reflected where the shadow is located. Surrounding tissue has transmitted sound.

Attenuation

Reduction in the amplitude and intensity of a sound wave as it propoagtes through a medium. Caused by absorbtion, scattering, or reflection.

Enhancement

Sound that travels through an anechoic substance and is not attenuated. Increased brightness directly beyond the posterior border of the anechoic structure. An increased amplitude of echoes beginning at the posterior wall and proceeding distally.

Where could an enhancment be found?

Tissue posterior to a cyst, or tissue sterior to a vessel.

Display format

The manner in which information is presented to the sonographer. A -mode, B-mode, color doppler, and spectral doppler.

A-mode

Amplitude

B-mode

brightness, what we will use

Scan

The moving of an acoustic beam to produce an image, to perform an ultrasound scan, or a sonographic examination

Noise

Artifactual echoes resulting from too much gain rather than from true anatomic structures. A signal conveying unwanted information, and it distracts from other signals.

Sonogenic

“Photograhic” a pretty picture