US Flashcards
3 different types of probe
- linear probe
- curvilinear probe
- echo probe (phased array)
linear probe
- frequency
- scanning area
- probe of choice for
- freq: high freq -> maintain resolution, less penetration
- scanning area: limited to size of probe
- probe of choice for vascular access, soft tissue and MSK, venous compression studies
curvilinear probe
- frequency
- scanning area
- probe of choice for
- freq: low -> decrease resolution, increased penetration
- scanning: large area
- probe of choice for abdominal, retroperitoneal, OB/GYN
echo probe
- frequency
- scanning area
- probe of choice for
- freq: low
- scanning: smaller than curvilinear
- probe of choice for cardiac studies
attenuation definition
loss of US energy (weakening) as it moves through a medium, resulting in decrease intensity and amplitude
attenuation is determined by
frequency of the sound and the distance that the sound wave travels (increase freq and distance -> increase attenuation)
attenuation occurs by
- absorption - primary component of attenuation in soft tissue
- reflection
- scattering - if boundary between media is irregular, wave is reflected in a number of different directions (ex: lung tissue)
- refraction - redirection of part of the sound wave when it crosses from one medium to another (bends the US wave, like when dip pencil in water)
impedance definition
how much resistance US beam encounters as it passes through a tissue
impedance depends on
- density of tissue (increase density -> increase impedance)
- speed of the sound wave
common artifacts
- attenuation shadow
- scatter
- ring down
- acoustic enhancement
- reverberation
- mirror image artifact
attentuation shadow caused by
region behind dense structure appears dark since few sound wave propagate into and return from that region
ring down caused by
fluid trapped between gas bubbles
acoustic enhancement caused by
sound wave intensify as it passes through fluid, thus region deep to fluid filled structure appears brighter than surrounding areas
reverberation caused by? examples?
- cause: sound waves bounce back and forth between closely spaced, highly reflective surfaces
- ex: saline implant, metal needle, comet tails (caused by gas collection along pleura, peritoneum, or bowel wall)
mirror image artifact definition
produces false images of adjacent organ (ex: diaphragm and liver)