Summary
Ultrasound imaging is a dynamic and non-invasive diagnostic tool used in many medical departments. Although it provides valuable information about the body and internal structures, ultrasound images can be susceptible to artifacts, unwanted signals, or distortions that can degrade image quality. Identifying and correcting these artifacts is critical for accurate diagnosis and effective patient care.
Common ultrasound artifacts:
Artifacts in ultrasound images can be caused by a variety of factors, including patient motion, acoustic shadowing, transducer misplacement, and equipment problems. Common items include:
Movement artifacts:
These occur when the patient or even the operator moves during the examination. Motion artifacts can cause blurry or distorted images, making interpretation difficult.
Reverberation:
Reverberation occurs when sound waves bounce back and forth between two strong reflectors. This can produce multiple evenly spaced echoes in the image, making it difficult to identify the actual structure.
Acoustic shadow:
Shadows can appear in an image when sound waves are blocked or absorbed by a dense structure, such as bone or gas. This can obscure the visibility of deeper tissues.
Doppler artifacts:
Doppler ultrasound that assesses blood flow can be affected by artifacts where blood flow appears to be in the wrong direction due to limitations of the Doppler scale.
Detection of artifacts:
Healthcare workers must know how to identify objects. This requires careful evaluation of the image for irregularities, consideration of the clinical context, and identification of possible causes of the artifact.
Fix Artifacts:
Fixing artifacts involves different steps depending on the specific artifact.
Movement Artifacts:
Reducing patient motion and user stability is key. Using ultrasound gel to improve sensor-to-skin contact and optimizing settings for faster imaging can help reduce motion artifacts.
Reverberation Artifacts:
Adjusting the depth setting or changing the probe and probe angle can mitigate reverberation artifacts. In some cases, the use of contrast agents can improve imaging.
Acoustic shading:
Relocating the sensor or choosing a different acoustic window can reduce shading errors. Awareness of patient and body habits and anatomy can help prevent this artifact.
Doppler artifacts:
It may be necessary to adjust the Doppler scale or angle to correct aliasing artifacts. In some cases, using a low-frequency sensor can reduce aliasing.
Improving image quality by detecting and correcting artifacts is a continuous learning process. Healthcare professionals must stay current with the latest ultrasound technology and techniques to maintain their skills and provide the best possible patient care.
In conclusion, identifying and correcting artifacts in ultrasound images is an important skill for healthcare professionals. By addressing these distortions, they can ensure the quality and accuracy of diagnostic images, leading to more accurate diagnoses and better patient care.
