Chapter 21 Artifact Flashcards
artifact is
an error in imaging and includes reflections that are:
not real
not seen in the image
not of correct size or shape
not of correct brightness
causes of artifact (4)(VETO)
-Violation of assumptions
-Equipment malfunction or poor design
-Physics of ultrasound
-Operator error
Hyperechoic
tissues that appear brighter than normal
hypoechoic
tissues that appear less bright than normal
anechoic
an extreme form of hypoechoic meaning without echoes or echo free
isoechoic
tissue that has similar echo brightness
homogenous
tissue that has similar echo characteristics throughout
heterogenous
tissue that has differing echo characteristics throughout
The ultrasound relies on 6 imaging assumptions — most artifacts are explained by identifying which assumptions are violated, name the 6 assumptions-
- Sound travels in a straight line
- Sound travels directly to the reflector and back to the probe
- sound travels in soft tissue at exactly 1540 m/s
- Reflections arise only from structures positioned in the beam’s main axis
- The imaging plane is very thin
- The strength of reflection is related to the characteristics of tissue creating the reflection
when corrective measures are taken artifacts usually _______; if not, what should be considered?
vanish, instrument malfunction should be considered
Reverberation is caused by
the sound wave bouncing back and forth between a strong reflector and the prober or two strong reflectors positioned parallel to the beam
Reverberation violates the assumption that
sound travels directly to a reflector and back
reverberations resemble
a ladder or venetian blinds
in reverberation the 1st two reflections are real, but the remaining deeper reflections are
repeats
comet tail is also known as
ring down artifact
comet tail is caused by
reverberations so close together that they merge and spaces between them are “squeezed” out
comet tail artifact violates the assumption that
sound travels directly to reflector and back
comet tail appears as a
solid hyperechoic line directed downward
comet tail is likely to occur in mediums with fast propagation speeds like
mechanical heart valves
comet tail can also arise from
resonating small structures like gas bubbles
Shadow artifact is
hypoechoic or anechoic region extending downward from a very strong attenuating medium (reflectors like bone, stones, prosthesis)
shadow artifact is caused by
sound cannot pass through the attenuating structure therefore we have no or little reflections off deeper structures
shadow artifact violates the assumption that
the intensity of reflection is related to the tissue creating the reflection
shadow artifact is unrelated to speed of sound, and related to the
attenuating proximal structure