Bookmarks
KEY FACTS
Image Artifacts
Pitfalls
TERMINOLOGY
Image Artifact
- Finding or feature within image that is not directly related to object being imaged
- Artifacts may be intrinsic to imaging modality or may be due to operator error or natural processes within object being imaged
- Artifacts need to be differentiated from real anatomical structures, as they can simulate pathology
- Some artifacts may be useful, leading to more confident diagnosis
Technical Terms
- Low mechanical index (MI) US contrast imaging mode allows for contrast-only image, often displayed in sepia hue side by side with low-MI B-mode image
- Image gain, sometimes referred to as image brightness, adjusts overall amplification of signal from returning reflections
- MI is US bioeffects metric used to estimate likelihood of biomechanical effects, such as tissue cavitation due to rapid changes in pressure
INTRODUCTION
CEUS Technique
Microbubble Contrast
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
Imaging Artifacts
B-MODE IMAGING ARTIFACTS
Observed in Contrast Mode
DOPPLER IMAGING ARTIFACTS
Color Doppler Blooming
Pulsed Wave Doppler Waveform Degradation
CONTRAST-MODE IMAGING ARTIFACTS
Background Noise
Unintended Microbubble Destruction
CONTRAST-RELATED ARTIFACTS
Signal Saturation
Attenuation/Shadowing
Nonlinear Artifacts
Prolonged Heterogeneous Liver Enhancement
TROUBLESHOOTING
Poor Enhancement
Contrast-Mode Image Too Bright
Contrast-Mode Image Too Dark
Selected References
- Fetzer DT et al: Artifacts in contrast-enhanced ultrasound: a pictorial essay. Abdom Radiol (NY). 43(4):977-997, 2018
- Jo PC et al: Integration of contrast-enhanced US into a multimodality approach to imaging of nodules in a cirrhotic liver: how I do It. Radiology. 282(2):317-331, 2017
- Denham SL et al: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound: practical review for the assessment of hepatic and renal lesions. Ultrasound Q. 32(2):116-25, 2016
- Cui XW et al: Prolonged heterogeneous liver enhancement on contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Ultraschall Med. 35(3):246-52, 2014
- Dietrich CF et al: Artifacts and pitfalls in contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the liver. Ultraschall Med. 35(2):108-25; quiz 126-7, 2014
- Dietrich CF et al: Pitfalls and artefacts using contrast enhanced ultrasound. Z Gastroenterol. 49(3):350-6, 2011
- Yu H et al: Pseudoenhancement within the local ablation zone of hepatic tumors due to a nonlinear artifact on contrast-enhanced ultrasound. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 194(3):653-9, 2010
- Gutberlet M et al: Do ultrasonic contrast agents artificially increase maximum Doppler shift? In vivo study of human common carotid arteries. J Ultrasound Med. 17(2):97-102, 1998
- Forsberg F et al: Artifacts in ultrasonic contrast agent studies. J Ultrasound Med. 13(5):357-65, 1994
Related Anatomy
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Related Differential Diagnoses
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References
Tables
Tables
KEY FACTS
Image Artifacts
Pitfalls
TERMINOLOGY
Image Artifact
- Finding or feature within image that is not directly related to object being imaged
- Artifacts may be intrinsic to imaging modality or may be due to operator error or natural processes within object being imaged
- Artifacts need to be differentiated from real anatomical structures, as they can simulate pathology
- Some artifacts may be useful, leading to more confident diagnosis
Technical Terms
- Low mechanical index (MI) US contrast imaging mode allows for contrast-only image, often displayed in sepia hue side by side with low-MI B-mode image
- Image gain, sometimes referred to as image brightness, adjusts overall amplification of signal from returning reflections
- MI is US bioeffects metric used to estimate likelihood of biomechanical effects, such as tissue cavitation due to rapid changes in pressure
INTRODUCTION
CEUS Technique
Microbubble Contrast
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
Imaging Artifacts
B-MODE IMAGING ARTIFACTS
Observed in Contrast Mode
DOPPLER IMAGING ARTIFACTS
Color Doppler Blooming
Pulsed Wave Doppler Waveform Degradation
CONTRAST-MODE IMAGING ARTIFACTS
Background Noise
Unintended Microbubble Destruction
CONTRAST-RELATED ARTIFACTS
Signal Saturation
Attenuation/Shadowing
Nonlinear Artifacts
Prolonged Heterogeneous Liver Enhancement
TROUBLESHOOTING
Poor Enhancement
Contrast-Mode Image Too Bright
Contrast-Mode Image Too Dark
Selected References
- Fetzer DT et al: Artifacts in contrast-enhanced ultrasound: a pictorial essay. Abdom Radiol (NY). 43(4):977-997, 2018
- Jo PC et al: Integration of contrast-enhanced US into a multimodality approach to imaging of nodules in a cirrhotic liver: how I do It. Radiology. 282(2):317-331, 2017
- Denham SL et al: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound: practical review for the assessment of hepatic and renal lesions. Ultrasound Q. 32(2):116-25, 2016
- Cui XW et al: Prolonged heterogeneous liver enhancement on contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Ultraschall Med. 35(3):246-52, 2014
- Dietrich CF et al: Artifacts and pitfalls in contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the liver. Ultraschall Med. 35(2):108-25; quiz 126-7, 2014
- Dietrich CF et al: Pitfalls and artefacts using contrast enhanced ultrasound. Z Gastroenterol. 49(3):350-6, 2011
- Yu H et al: Pseudoenhancement within the local ablation zone of hepatic tumors due to a nonlinear artifact on contrast-enhanced ultrasound. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 194(3):653-9, 2010
- Gutberlet M et al: Do ultrasonic contrast agents artificially increase maximum Doppler shift? In vivo study of human common carotid arteries. J Ultrasound Med. 17(2):97-102, 1998
- Forsberg F et al: Artifacts in ultrasonic contrast agent studies. J Ultrasound Med. 13(5):357-65, 1994
