Topic 4 : Ultrasounds and Endoscopes Flashcards
What is an ultrasound and how does it work?
An ultrasound is a computer - an ultrasound probe is connected, which transmits and receives ultrasounds waves using a row of vibrating crystals, which are sequences by the computer so that when the prove receives these ultrasound waves following transmission into the tissue, a lice image is formed.
Are A-mode ultrasounds used in veterinary medicine?
N, is is not practical for diagnostic veterinary medicine as it does not give a picture of the tissue
What is the most common mode of ultrasounds in veterinary practices?
B- Mode ultrasounds
What does B-mode stand for
Brightness mode in which every echo received is transformed into a dot.
In the case of a strong echo (ie bouncing off bone) in ultrasounds will the dot be bright or dark?
The dot will be bright
In the case of a weak echo (ie continuing on through fluid) in ultrasounds will the dot be bright or dark?
The dot will be dark
What is an M-mode ultrasound
M-mode stands for motion, and it allows us to compare movement in tissue over time
What is M-mode used for
It is commonly used to examine the heart and foetal heart, and to provide heart rate
In an M-mode ultrasound what measurement do the vertical dots and horizontal dots represent?
Vertical dots represent 1cm
Horizontal dots represent 0.5 seconds
What is a doppler ultrasound
Doppler ultrasound is a technique used to measure the flow of blood through your arteries and blood vessels—usually those in your extremities. Vascular flow studies, also known as blood flow studies, can detect abnormal flow within a blood vessel.
Define hypoechoeic and what dot it will produce on an ultrasound
‘low echo’ producing tissue - the echo is weak, therefore the dot is dark (fluid)
Define hyperchoeic and what dot it will produce on an ultrasound
‘high echo’ producing tissue - the echo is strong, therefore the dot is bright (bone)
Define echogenic
tissue that generates an echo
What is the basic range of ultrasound probes
3MHz
5MHz
7.5MHz
10MHz
What are 3MHz probes used for?
examining deep objects such as hearts and abdominal tissue
What are 5MHz probes used for?
Commonly used in equine work and general reproductive work along with general diagnostic scanning for colic, lung pathology ect.
Too large to provide fine detail for tendons, joints and liagments
What are 7MHz probes used for?
Provide fine detail for tendons and con pick up minute pathology close to the surface area
What do linear probes emit?
Ultrasound wave in a line
What do Curvilinear probes emit?
Ultrasound waves in a curved line
What do sector emit probes emit?
Waves through a narrow window..
What does the gain part of an ultrasound machine do?
– gain increases the power to the probe. This increase in power results in an increase in brightness of the returning echoes. Gain should be set at the lowest power possible, to obtain adequate detail of near and far tissue. If it is set too high, adequate detail is lost.
How does fluid appear in an ultrasound?
Fluid is hypocechoeic and appears black
How does air appear in an ultrasound?
Air is hyperechoeic and produces reverberation artefact, so air show is horizontal lines echoing continually backwards and forwards
How does tissue appear in an ultrasound?
Tissue is moderately hypoechoeic, is echogenic and produces shades of grey
How does fat appear in an ultrasound?
Fat is hypoechoeic and appears black
What position do you put the patient in for an ultrasound of the heart?
Left lateral recumbency (heart vied from underneath through a ‘window’ cut in the table )
What position do you put the patient in for an ultrasound of the Kidney (right)?
Left lateral recumbency
What position do you put the patient in for an ultrasound of the heart?
Right lateral recumbency