US Terminology

Question 1

Transducer types

Answer 1

Linear
Curvilinear
Probe

Question 2

A-lines

Answer 2

Horizontal lines appearing in layers of tissue, decreasing with depth

Question 3

Anechoic (echolucent)

Answer 3

Without internal echoes
- usually fluid filled structures (eg; cysts)

Question 4

Echotexture

Answer 4

The echo pattern of a structure; may be smooth, coarse or mixed

Question 5

Echogenicity

Answer 5

Strength of the echoes that are returned to the transducer
- the higher the echo, the brighter/stronger the reflection

Question 6

Homogenous

Answer 6

Uniform echogenicity or texture

Question 7

Heterogeneous (inhomogenous)

Answer 7

Non-uniform echogenicity or texture

Question 8

Echogenic/ Hyperechoic

Answer 8

Comparative term for a structure that is more echogenic than another

Question 9

Hypoechoic/ echogenic

Answer 9

Comparative term for a structure with fewer echoes than another

Question 10

Isoechoic

Answer 10

Comparative term for the same echogenicity as surroundings

Question 11

Cyst

Answer 11

A rounded/oval shaped fluid filled structure;
- anechoic
- smooth & thin walls
- good through transmission
- often has edge shadow artefact

Question 12

Cystic

Answer 12

Term used for fluid filled structures:
- they are not necessarily cysts

Question 13

Complex

Answer 13

Mass with a variety of echoes within it

Question 14

Fluid level

Answer 14

Interface between two fluids w diff* acoustic properties
- may change with Pt position

Question 15

Regular

Answer 15

Refers to smooth & regular margins of a structure

Question 16

Irregular

Answer 16

Refers to the irregular margins of a structure

Question 17

How to describe a structure

Answer 17

• location
• size
• number
• shape
• echotexture
• echogenicity
• internal structure
• walls of the structure
• any effects on surrounding structures; posterior enhancement, shadowing, compression, distortion, etc.

Question 18

Systemic approach to Identifying Parhology

Answer 18

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)

Question 19

PASS A Large Van (describing pathology)

Answer 19

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