ARDMS BREAST - Questions With Comprehensive
Solutions
Mirror Image Correct Answer - Created as sound reflects from a strong
reflector
Causes the appearance of a second copy of the structure deeper on the image
Diaphragm commonly exhibits this phenomenon
Reverberation / Ring Down Correct Answer - Caused by the repeated
reflection of ultrasound back and forth between two closely spaced interfaces
Appears as multiple echogenic lines spaced an equal distance apart
Commonly affects the anterior portion of a breast cyst
Comet Tail Correct Answer - A series of echoes caused by small multiple
reflections from a highly reflective object
Forms a single long hyperechoic artifact
The greater the acoustic layer mismatch, the greater the likelihood of comet
tail formation
Different Resolution Artifacts Correct Answer - Lateral
Axial
Temporal
Slice Thickness
Lateral Resolution Artifact Correct Answer - Two objects side by side
appear as one object; related to bandwidth and beam diameter
Axial Resolution Artifact Correct Answer - two objects at different depths
appear as one object; related to spatial pulse length and transducer frequency
Slice Thickness Resolution Artifact Correct Answer - Due to poor
elevational resolution; can lead to "fill in" of breast cysts or masses: AKA
volume averaging artifact or beam width artifact
, Posterior Enhancement Correct Answer - Anechoic structures allow
sound to be transmitted through leading to increased reflection from
structures posteriorly
Can be beneficial to evaluation and diagnosis of breast cysts and
fibroadenomas
Posterior Shadowing Correct Answer - Echogenic structure
reflects/attenuates majority of sound; no sound is transmitted posteriorly.
Increased attenuation = increased shadowing
Can be beneficial to evaluation and diagnosis of breast malignancy
Speed Error Artifact Correct Answer - AKA Propagation speed artifact
Sonographic equipment calibrated for a propagation velocity of 1540 m/s
Reflectors will be inappropriately positioned if the propagation velocity is
different than the calibrated standard for the machine
3 types of Spatial Resolution Correct Answer - 1. Axial
2. Lateral
3. Elevational
Axial Resolution Correct Answer - AKA depth, longitudinal, radial, range,
linear
Ability to visualize two different structures that are parallel to the beam axis
Determined by spatial pulse length (1/2 SPL = AR)
Set by equipment manufacturer
Improves with increased frequency, wider bandwidth and damping (shorter
pulse length)
Lateral Resolution Correct Answer - AKA Angular, Transverse and
Azimuthal
Solutions
Mirror Image Correct Answer - Created as sound reflects from a strong
reflector
Causes the appearance of a second copy of the structure deeper on the image
Diaphragm commonly exhibits this phenomenon
Reverberation / Ring Down Correct Answer - Caused by the repeated
reflection of ultrasound back and forth between two closely spaced interfaces
Appears as multiple echogenic lines spaced an equal distance apart
Commonly affects the anterior portion of a breast cyst
Comet Tail Correct Answer - A series of echoes caused by small multiple
reflections from a highly reflective object
Forms a single long hyperechoic artifact
The greater the acoustic layer mismatch, the greater the likelihood of comet
tail formation
Different Resolution Artifacts Correct Answer - Lateral
Axial
Temporal
Slice Thickness
Lateral Resolution Artifact Correct Answer - Two objects side by side
appear as one object; related to bandwidth and beam diameter
Axial Resolution Artifact Correct Answer - two objects at different depths
appear as one object; related to spatial pulse length and transducer frequency
Slice Thickness Resolution Artifact Correct Answer - Due to poor
elevational resolution; can lead to "fill in" of breast cysts or masses: AKA
volume averaging artifact or beam width artifact
, Posterior Enhancement Correct Answer - Anechoic structures allow
sound to be transmitted through leading to increased reflection from
structures posteriorly
Can be beneficial to evaluation and diagnosis of breast cysts and
fibroadenomas
Posterior Shadowing Correct Answer - Echogenic structure
reflects/attenuates majority of sound; no sound is transmitted posteriorly.
Increased attenuation = increased shadowing
Can be beneficial to evaluation and diagnosis of breast malignancy
Speed Error Artifact Correct Answer - AKA Propagation speed artifact
Sonographic equipment calibrated for a propagation velocity of 1540 m/s
Reflectors will be inappropriately positioned if the propagation velocity is
different than the calibrated standard for the machine
3 types of Spatial Resolution Correct Answer - 1. Axial
2. Lateral
3. Elevational
Axial Resolution Correct Answer - AKA depth, longitudinal, radial, range,
linear
Ability to visualize two different structures that are parallel to the beam axis
Determined by spatial pulse length (1/2 SPL = AR)
Set by equipment manufacturer
Improves with increased frequency, wider bandwidth and damping (shorter
pulse length)
Lateral Resolution Correct Answer - AKA Angular, Transverse and
Azimuthal
