Ultrasonography Procedures Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is ultrasonography?

A noninvasive technique used for organ structures (correct)

A method using radiation for diagnostics

An invasive procedure for organ removal

A type of MRI technique

How does ultrasonography work?

Sound waves interact with tissue and reflect back to the transducer, which then processes the data through a computer.

What are the advantages of ultrasound?

Noninvasive, no radiation, accurate diagnostics, good evaluation of organs, realistic prognosis, live data, good for cardiac studies.

What are the disadvantages of ultrasound?

High initial cost, long learning curve, requires shaving the animal, no penetration through air or bone. Signup and view all the answers

What types of ultrasound equipment can be used?

Cart models, handheld devices, laptop systems. Signup and view all the answers

What factors determine the quality of an ultrasound?

Software, transducers, computer processors, monitor quality. Signup and view all the answers

How do ultrasound transducers work?

Electrical pulses are sent and echoes are received, which produce the images. Signup and view all the answers

What are the differences between high and low frequency probes?

High frequency provides better detail but less penetration; low frequency has better penetration but less detail. Signup and view all the answers

What types of transducers are there?

Linear, convex, microconvex, phased array sector, matrix. Signup and view all the answers

What is A-mode?

The earliest form of echography, producing one-dimensional data. Signup and view all the answers

What is B-mode?

Brightness mode, a two-dimensional real-time imaging technique. Signup and view all the answers

What is M-mode?

Motion mode, displays the motion of an organ over an oriented baseline. Signup and view all the answers

What types of Doppler ultrasounds are there?

Color flow, power color, pulse wave, continuous wave. Signup and view all the answers

What is gain in an ultrasound context?

Brightness setting adjusted on the liver that affects the grayscale. Signup and view all the answers

What does depth control do in ultrasound?

It controls the amount of tissue displayed. Signup and view all the answers

What is time gain compensation?

A function that adjusts brightness at different depths. Signup and view all the answers

What is attenuation in ultrasound?

The loss of sound echoes when going deeper into tissues. Signup and view all the answers

What does scatter refer to in ultrasound?

Sound can go in different directions when it hits the body. Signup and view all the answers

What is absorption in ultrasound?

Sound is absorbed instead of reflected. Signup and view all the answers

What is echogenicity?

The comparison of two body parts based on their echogenic appearance. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if a structure is less echogenic?

It appears darker on the ultrasound image. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if a structure is more echogenic?

It appears lighter on the ultrasound image. Signup and view all the answers

What is sonolucent?

A dark grey appearance on ultrasound indicating less echoes. Signup and view all the answers

What is anechoic?

A black appearance on ultrasound indicating no echoes. Signup and view all the answers

What is hypoechoic?

A structure that reflects less sound and appears darker compared to surrounding tissues. Signup and view all the answers

What is hyperechoic?

A structure that reflects more sound and appears lighter compared to surrounding tissues. Signup and view all the answers

What is isoechoic?

No change in echogenicity compared to surrounding tissues. Signup and view all the answers

What are artifacts in ultrasound?

Clipped hair, insufficient gel, and environmental factors affecting the image. Signup and view all the answers

What can a liver ultrasound reveal?

It can show larger vessels and should have a sharp appearance. Signup and view all the answers

What does inflammation of the liver look like on ultrasound?

It appears blacker and vessels become whiter, resembling a starry sky. Signup and view all the answers

What does a fatty liver look like on ultrasound?

It shows a loss of hepatic vessels. Signup and view all the answers

What can a gallbladder ultrasound show?

It cannot be seen on x-ray but is visible when filled with fluid. Signup and view all the answers

Why would you do a scan of the liver or gallbladder?

High blood values for enlargement, abnormal x-ray results, or small masses. Signup and view all the answers

What are reasons for a spleen ultrasound?

Ruptures or tumors in the spleen. Signup and view all the answers

What does an inflamed spleen look like on ultrasound?

It shows increased echogenicity. Signup and view all the answers

What does decreased echogenicity indicate?

It suggests the presence of a mass. Signup and view all the answers

What can a pancreas ultrasound diagnose?

Pancreatitis or masses. Signup and view all the answers

What does the GI tract ultrasound assess?

Thickness of walls and presence of foreign bodies. Signup and view all the answers

What do kidney and adrenal gland ultrasounds look for?

Masses or crystals in the kidneys; the adrenal gland is assessed for conditions like antifreeze toxicity. Signup and view all the answers

What is important for a prostate ultrasound?

A full bladder is necessary to evaluate for enlargement, cysts, or tumors. Signup and view all the answers

What conditions can a bladder ultrasound identify?

UTI not improving, blood clots, chronic cystitis, and masses. Signup and view all the answers

What is a reproductive tract ultrasound usually used for?

Monitoring pregnancy, ovarian cancer, or pyometra. Signup and view all the answers

What can an eyes ultrasound detect?

Retinal detachment and blood behind the eyes. Signup and view all the answers

What areas do extremity ultrasounds cover in horses?

Below the carpus and tarsus. Signup and view all the answers

What is fluoroscopy?

A technique using constant radiation to observe motility or assist in catheter placement. Signup and view all the answers

What is Computed Tomography (CT)?

A method using radiation to create images in cross sections, often used for the brain and spinal cord. Signup and view all the answers

What is nuclear scintigraphy?

A technique involving injecting a nuclear substance IV to be read by a gamma camera. Signup and view all the answers

What is an MRI?

A magnetic imaging technique that does not use radiation. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ultrasonography Overview

Noninvasive imaging technique used to visualize organ structures without radiation exposure.
Ideal for patients who cannot tolerate x-rays; supports diagnosis and management plans.

Mechanism

Utilizes sound waves that interact with body tissues, sending echoes back to a transducer for image creation.

Advantages

Offers real-time data and accurate diagnostics.
Enhances organ evaluations, providing a more realistic prognosis, particularly useful in cardiac studies.

Disadvantages

Initial setup can be costly; requires extensive training to master.
Procedure often necessitates shaving the animal and has limitations with air or bone penetration.

Equipment Variants

Available in various models: cart models, handheld, and laptops.

Quality Determinants

Image quality relies on software, transducers, computer processors, and monitor specifications.

Transducer Functionality

Transducers send electrical pulses and receive echoes to create imaging.

Frequency Probes

High-frequency probes offer better detail but shallower penetration.
Low-frequency probes allow deeper penetration but with reduced detail.

Types of Transducers

Linear: Flat surface, prone to artifacts.
Convex: Provides a wider view for general scans.
Microconvex: Suitable for smaller patients, has a reduced footprint.
Phased Array Sector: Used in cardiac studies through timed sequences.
Matrix: Generates 3-D images, scans multiple planes simultaneously.

Patient Preparation

Patients can be positioned laterally, ventrally, or standing.
Requires shaving, cleaning the area, applying coupling gel, fasting, maintaining a full bladder, and removing bandages.

Modes of Ultrasound

A-mode: One-dimensional imaging, the earliest form.
B-mode: Two-dimensional, real-time imaging using echo dots and pixels.
M-mode: Displays organ motion over a baseline.

Doppler Ultrasound Types

Measures blood flow velocity; variants include color flow, power color, pulse wave, and continuous wave.

Key Technical Concepts

Gain: Adjusts brightness settings for various tissues.
Depth Control: Affects how much tissue is displayed in images.
Time Gain Compensation: Alters brightness at different tissue depths.
Attenuation: Loss of sound echoes as depth increases.
Scatter: Sound waves may deviate direction upon hitting body surfaces.
Absorption: Sound energy absorbed by tissues instead of being reflected.

Echogenicity

Comparison of echogenic features between body parts.
Terms describing echogenicity:
- Less echogenic: Darker appearance (lower echoes).
- More echogenic: Lighter appearance (higher echoes).
- Sonolucent: Dark gray, fewer echoes.
- Anechoic: Black, no echoes.
- Hypoechoic: Darker, less sound returning compared to surroundings.
- Hyperechoic: Lighter, more sound returning compared to surroundings.
- Isoechoic: No color change detected.

Artifacts

Factors impacting ultrasound quality include hair, gel application, and environmental influences.

Specific Organ Ultrasound Applications

Liver: Detects vascular structures and abnormalities (e.g., inflammation, fatty changes).
Gallbladder: Assessed for fluid presence as it is not visible on x-ray.
Spleen: Evaluated for ruptures and tumors; changes in echogenicity signal issues.
Pancreas: Investigated for pancreatitis and masses.
GI Tract: Examined for wall thickness and foreign bodies.
Kidneys and Adrenal Glands: Assessed for masses and crystal presence; significant changes indicate issues.
Prostate: Requires a full bladder for examination; looks for cysts and tumors.
Bladder: Useful for cystos, chronic issues, and identifying masses.
Reproductive Tract: Monitored in pregnant patients and for detecting ovarian issues.
Eyes: Evaluated for retinal detachment or blood presence.
Extremities: Examination focuses below carpus and tarsus in horses.

Alternative Imaging Techniques

Fluoroscopy: Continuous radiation to observe motility or catheter placement.
Computed Tomography (CT): Uses radiation for cross-sectional imaging, applied in scenarios involving the brain and spinal cord.
Nuclear Scintigraphy: Injects nuclear substance to visualize activity in organs (e.g., thyroid, bones, liver).
MRI: Non-radiative imaging using magnetic fields to read body radio frequencies.

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Description

Test your knowledge on ultrasonography with these flashcards. Explore key concepts such as how ultrasonography works, its advantages, and its applications in noninvasive procedures. Perfect for healthcare students and professionals alike.