TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Chapter 3. Anatomic Variants and Ultrasound Artifacts A1 - Pabich, Wendy L. A1 - Grichnik, Katherine A2 - Mathew, Joseph P. A2 - Swaminathan, Madhav A2 - Ayoub, Chakib M. PY - 2010 T2 - Clinical Manual and Review of Transesophageal Echocardiography, 2e AB - Anatomic variants are variations in normal anatomy that can be misinterpreted as pathological conditions. Many anatomic variants are remnant structures from embryological development and fetal circulation, particularly in the atria. Anatomic variants are seen in multiple image planes and persist despite changes in transducer frequency, gain, compression, and depth. Ultrasound artifacts are errors in imaging most commonly due to a violation of the assumptions that are inherent in any ultrasound system. All imaging systems assume that sound travels in a straight line, travels directly back from a reflector, and travels at exactly 1540 m/s through soft tissue. Additionally, it is assumed that the ultrasound beam is very thin, reflections are entirely from structures within the main axis of the beam, and the intensity of reflections is related only to the tissue characteristics of the reflector.1 Artifacts cross known anatomic planes and boundaries and typically disappear with alternate imaging planes and when remedial actions are taken. It is vital to be familiar with the common anatomic variations and ultrasound imaging artifacts to ensure accurate echocardiographic interpretation and to avoid unnecessary interventions.2 SN - PB - The McGraw-Hill Companies CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/29 UR - accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=6915279 ER -