Fundamentals (not Normal) Flashcards
How do we identify abnormalities? 2
- Pathology can distrust the normal textual appearance
- Sonographers role is to recognize normal from abnormal
When identifying abnormalities, tissue changes can be what? 2
- Focal
- Diffuse
What are focal changes? 3
- Localized changes in a structure (organ)
- Circumscribed (confined to a limited area)
- Mass
Are focal changes single or multiple?
Can be both
What are diffuse changes? 3
- Changes that affect the overall organ parenchyma
- Subtle
- Infiltrative
What are some examples of diffuse changes that affect the overall organ parenchyma? 4
- Echotexture
- Size, shape
- Organ position
- Influence on adjacent structures
What are some key information for characterizing an abnormality? 8
- Location
- Size
- Shape
- Wall definition/ contour
- Internal echo pattern
- Attenuation characteristics
- Vascular ray
- Compression/ displacement
What does diffuse mean in terms of location of an organ?
May change the position of an organ
In terms of location what does focal mean?
Reference relational anatomy; use directional terminology
What does diffuse mean in terms of size? 2
- Change in organ size
- Measure of organ
What does focal mean in terms of measurements and imaging?
- 2 planes
- 3 measurements
What are some measurements we take?
Length, width, height (AP)
In terms of diffuse what does shape mean?
Organ contour changes
What does shape mean in terms of focal?
- Round or oval
- Irregular
In terms of wall definition/ contour what does diffuse mean? 2
- Capsule changes
- Contour changes (nodular)
In terms of definition/ contour what does focal mean? 2
- Describes the wall and outline
- Scan in multiple planes
What is the wall definition of this image?
Well defined
What is the all definition of this image?
Poorly defined or ill defined
What is the wall definition of this image?
Encapsulated (surrounded by a capsule
What is the wall contour of this image?
Smooth
What is the wall contour of this image?
Lobulated
What is the wall contour of this image?
Irregular