Ultrasound Flashcards
The Medical Sonographer
RDMS- registered diagnostic medical sonographer
Typical 2 year education program
Now typically tied to Bachelor’s degree
Didactic and Clinical
Other routes, i.e. on the job (OTJ) cross training
National boards
Different specialties
Ultrasound physics as additional part of certification
Ultrasound Provider- UP
Mid level provider for ultrasound department
Has not “taken off” except in echo
Masters Degree
OB/GYNE
TAS
transabdominal approach
Full urinary bladder
Later pregnancy (very late may not need full bladder), ovaries, uterus
OB/GYNE
EVS
endovaginal sonography
Empty bladder
Early pregnancy, ovaries, uterus
Frequencies of 5-10 MHz
Limited FOV (Field of View)
First Trimester Studies
indications
Ectopic pregnancy
Threatened Ab
Cervix open vs closed
Fetal viability/death
Anembryonic pregnancy (blighted ovum)
Sonographic dates
Gestational sac size (see Figure)
Crown Rump length (see Figure)
gesttional sac size
measure the size of the ovum when the fetus isnt big enough to measure
crown to rump size
2nd and 3rd trimesters
fetal measurements (4)
Fetal measurements
BPD- biparietal diameter
HC- head circumference
AC- abdominal circumference
FL/HL- femoral length to humeral length ratio
obgyn
IUGR- intrauterine growth retardation
baby isnt growing at proper rate
OBGYN
PROM- premature rupture of membranes
As seen in “Volume” ultrasound mode
3D look
Biophysical Profile
Level II US (See table)
Fetal assessment
Number, position, lie
Breathing, movements, tone, reactive heart rate
Fetal Data
Measurements BPD, FL, AC
Systematic organ review
Placenta, amniotic fluid amount
Cord
measurements taken to grade the baby, this is done if there are concerns for baby.
US Guided OB Procedures
Amniocentesis
Chorionic Villus sampling (CVS)
Amneocentesis
AFP level abnormal
Fetal lung maturity check
Level of fluid
CVS can help identify certain genetic diseases, including problems with chromosomes. These cell structures hold fetal DNA.
Gyne Exams
Transducers
Change one form of energy into another
Piezoelectric crystals (created a voltage when mechanically deformed) –>The active component of transducer
Emits ultrasound frequency waves
Conductivity gel is needed to make an image
frequency
Numbers of cycles per second
Hertz or Hz
Hearing 30-20,000 Hz
US uses >20,000
Clinical imaging 2MHz –10 MHz
Determined by sound source
Transducer named for main frequency
Beam Anatomy
Beam starts as size of transducer
Converges to focal point
Focal length
Diverges in the far zone
Larger diameters have further focal length
Ultrasound transducer beam
Sound waves in transducers don’t diffract
Most energy transmitted along main central beam
Resolution
Lateral resolution
2 points distinguishable when side by side
Depth resolution
2 pts distinguishable when “front to back”
Wavelength influences resolution
Higher frequency, higher resolution (less penetration)
Pulsed Waves
Collection of number of cycles that travel together
On time- transducer sending
Off time- receiving
Capturing return trip information
Receiver
As image depth increases, the pulse repetition frequency decreases (number of pulses per second) so more listening time
Operator determines maximum imaging depth
Acoustic Propagation Properties
Effects of medium upon sound wave
Propagation speed
Attenuation
Absorption
Reflection
Scattering
Impedance
Propagation speed
Determined by density and stiffness of medium
All sound travels at the same speed through same medium
Soft tissue (st)- 1.54 km/s (1.54 mm/s)
Lung< fat < soft tissue < bone
0.5, 1.45, 1.54, 3.0 km/sec respectively
Speed m/s = frequency (Hz) x wavelength (m)
know that fat and soft tissue are similar speed, but fat is slightly fas
Attenuation
Decrease in intensity and amplification in soft tissue
Greater frequency, greater attenuation
Limits maximum depth from which can obtain images
Absorption
Energy imparted to cell is lost by conversion to another form such as heat or vibration of intracellular particles
Reflection
Some of propagating acoustic energy is redirected back toward transducer
Smooth reflector (i.e. mirror) is specular reflector (e.g. diaphragm)
Specular reflector is the line around the kidney in this image, it disappears where the reflection doesnt bounce back to the transducer.
the inside of the kidney that is hyperechoic (lighter) is due to the collectiong ducts.
Scattering
If boundary between 2 media has irregularities, with a size similar to pulses’ wavelength, the wavelength can be redirected into many directions
Backscatter to transducer
Rayleigh scatter- dont need to know this name
Impedance
Acoustic resistance to sound as travels through medium
Intensity increases with decrease density and with increased propagation speed
Difficult to Image Media
Bone
Great reflector
Backscatter/reflection
High propagation speed
Increased impedance
Increased attenuation
Lung
Great scatter
Low propagation speed