US Terminology Flashcards
Transducer types
Linear
Curvilinear
Probe
A-lines
Horizontal lines appearing in layers of tissue, decreasing with depth
Anechoic (echolucent)
Without internal echoes
- usually fluid filled structures (eg; cysts)
Echotexture
The echo pattern of a structure; may be smooth, coarse or mixed
Echogenicity
Strength of the echoes that are returned to the transducer
- the higher the echo, the brighter/stronger the reflection
Homogenous
Uniform echogenicity or texture
Heterogeneous (inhomogenous)
Non-uniform echogenicity or texture
Echogenic/ Hyperechoic
Comparative term for a structure that is more echogenic than another
Hypoechoic/ echogenic
Comparative term for a structure with fewer echoes than another
Isoechoic
Comparative term for the same echogenicity as surroundings
Cyst
A rounded/oval shaped fluid filled structure;
- anechoic
- smooth & thin walls
- good through transmission
- often has edge shadow artefact
Cystic
Term used for fluid filled structures:
- they are not necessarily cysts
Complex
Mass with a variety of echoes within it
Fluid level
Interface between two fluids w diff* acoustic properties
- may change with Pt position
Regular
Refers to smooth & regular margins of a structure
Irregular
Refers to the irregular margins of a structure
How to describe a structure
- location
- size
- number
- shape
- echotexture
- echogenicity
- internal structure
- walls of the structure
- any effects on surrounding structures; posterior enhancement, shadowing, compression, distortion, etc.
Systemic approach to Identifying Parhology
Look at the overall image; is the Q to describe the image or the pathology
- confirm orientation (ant/posterior, inf/superior, R/L)
- describe the plane of the scan & of the organ (eg; transverse view of the thyroid)
- if the image has annotation on it, Use It: (eg; Rt Lobe - Lung)
- describe what is sonographically Normal & any surrounding structures (R they normal or abnormal?) [this assists in determining mass effect, diffuse Dx etc]
- describe any abnormalities, if present (use PASS A Large Van)
PASS A Large Van (describing pathology)
1- Focal or diffuse?
- size of whole gland, borders, echogenicity -holistic look, big picture
2:
Position:
- intraglandular Vs extra glandular or intra/extra testicular
Appearance:
- borders/margins; sharp, defined, blurred, irreg*, halo effect & echogenicity of such
- internal contents - echogenicity
Size:
- larger/smaller than normal
- does it have a space occupying effect
- singular or multiple
Shape:
- ovoid/circular/regular/irregular
Artefact:
- artefact type if present
Lymph node involvement (Large):
- lymph node involvement if present
Vascular (Van):
- vascularity; no change/increased/decreased
