RT Book, Section
A1 Pabich, Wendy L.
A1 Grichnik, Katherine
A2 Mathew, Joseph P.
A2 Swaminathan, Madhav
A2 Ayoub, Chakib M.
SR Print(0)
ID 6915279
T1 Chapter 3. Anatomic Variants and Ultrasound Artifacts
T2 Clinical Manual and Review of Transesophageal Echocardiography, 2e
YR 2010
FD 2010
PB The McGraw-Hill Companies
PP New York, NY
SN 978-0-07-163476-2
LK accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=6915279
RD 2024/04/19
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