Indications for performing this procedure: Ultrasound technology uses sound waves to provide non-invasive information about the internal structure and function of organs. The ultrasound transducer emits sound waves into the adjacent tissues, and receives sound waves that are reflected back. The transducer is placed directly on the abdomen with acoustic coupling gel to help transmission of sound waves into the body. Sound waves travel through tissues and reflect back a percentage of the sound as the waves course through organs and at the margins and interfaces of tissues. Different tissue densities will reflect sound waves to different degrees, resulting in images which display tissues with varying reflectivity (echogenicity).
Hyperechoic tissues are those which reflect a large percentage of the sound waves, thus appear white.
Hypoechoic tissues do not reflect large amounts of sound waves, thus appear dark.
Anechoic refers to a complete absence of reflected sound and are displayed as completely black tissues.
Fluid can appear very dark or anechoic, while fat reflects a large amount of sound and is hyperechoic.
The sonographer will systematically move and rotate the transducer over the entire abdomen to allow examination of abdominal organs. The ultrasound display image is a "tomographic slice of tissue." The sonographer will record those specific slices (images) which are helpful for the diagnosis. The diagnostic quality of an ultrasound examination is very dependent on the experience and scanning skills of the sonographer.
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