Basic Ultrasound Imaging: Techniques, Terminology & Tips

US322

curved array transducer

provides a large field of view, but in some patients this transducer may be too large to fit in between the ribs to provide adequate contact for accurate reflection of the sound wave

When scanning a patient always use the __________ frequency possible.

highest

smaller footprint transducer

allows the sonographer to scan between intercostal spaces with the patient in a supine, coronal, decubitus, or upright position, but limits the near field of view

It is recommended that the patient fast for _____ hours prior to ultrasound examination of the abdomen.

eight

Fasting helps to reduce the interference that may be caused from ___ overlying the midline abdominal structures

gas

before you scan

patient positions, transducer selection, transducer positions, initial survey of the abdomen

Typical examination is performed primarily in the _______ position.

supine

The beam is ideally reflected when the transducer is ___________ to the surface.

perpendicular

perpendicular

the transducer is straight up and down

subcostal

the transducer is angled superiorly just beneath the inferior costal margin

intercostal

the transducer is between the ribs. it can be perpendicular, subcostal, or angled

angled

the transducer is angled superiorly, inferiorly, or right and left laterally at varying degrees

rotated

the transducer is rotated varying degrees to oblique the scanning plane

The ______ movement of the probe is used with the sweep and slide motion in which the probe is moved greater than one centimeter.

macro

The _____ movement of the probe is used with the sweep and slide motion in which the probe is moved less than one centimeter.

micro

In a survey of the abdomen, the sonographer will initially use the “_____” motion.

sweep

The “_____” motion is used when the transducer is physically moved along the abdomen, such as a longitudinal movement to follow the course of the abdominal aorta into the bifurcation of the iliac arteries.

slide

Once an area of interest is located, the sonographer may pause over the

structure and slowly “____” or pivot the transducer back and forth or up

and down to image the area completely or to follow the anatomical

structure.

rock

A smaller version of the sweep motion is the “___” motion, which is

used when the transducer is minutely swept, pivoting on a point of

interest.

fan

The “______” motion is useful to navigate between the ribs or to

change from transverse to longitudinal planes, where the transducer

is held in one area and rotated 90 degrees to the opposite plane.

rotate

For each study a sonographer should enter

the patient’s name andid#, select the transducer, adjust the TGC, focal zones and image size

Annotation on/off switch

allows comments to be entered on the screen

trackball

allows you to control the position of the measurement cursors

TGC and Gain controls

will brighten or darken areas or whole portions of the image.

What artifact is this?

reverberation

What artifact is shown?

shadowing