Summary of Key Points Key aspects of vascular Doppler imaging include knowledge of anatomy and waveform morphology, scanning technique, and attention to detail. Spectral Doppler velocity criteria can characterize stenosis detected by gray-scale and color Doppler. Doppler evaluation of peripheral…
Summary of Key Points The combination of gray-scale, color-flow Doppler, and Doppler spectral analysis is highly accurate in determining plaque characterization and degree of carotid stenosis. Accurate diagnosis of carotid stenosis is critical for patients who would benefit from surgical…
Summary of Key Points Choose transducer geometry and entry site to visualize the needle as a specular reflector. Orient transducer to maximize tendon echogenicity (anisotropy). Injected corticosteroid/anesthetic suspension often displays a contrast effect, which can help localize injected mixture. Patients…
Summary of Key Points In the diagnosis of full-thickness rotator cuff tears, ultrasound is of comparable accuracy to magnetic resonance imaging, although it may be less accurate in the diagnosis of partial-thickness tears. The key to scanning the shoulder is…
Summary of Key Points A wide variety of inflammatory, degenerative, traumatic, and neoplastic conditions can be imaged accurately and cost-effectively with ultrasound. Understanding optimal imaging techniques and recognizing and avoiding common artifacts is essential to musculoskeletal ultrasound. Ultrasound can provide…
Summary of Key Points Diagnostic ultrasound is an accurate means of evaluating most scrotal processes and can supplement the physical examination. Solid intratesticular lesions have a high likelihood of malignancy, whereas cystic extratesticular intrascrotal lesions are almost certainly benign. Doppler…
Summary of Key Points Breast ultrasound plays a key role in supplemental breast cancer screening, diagnostic imaging, and interventional breast procedures. All images should be annotated with the following: the side (left or right), clock face position, distance from the…
Summary of Key Points In the vast majority of cases, primary hyperparathyroidism is caused by hyperfunction of a single parathyroid gland due to adenoma, much less commonly due to multiple gland involvement. Surgical removal of the abnormal gland is the…
Summary of Key Points Ultrasound is the best imaging modality to study the thyroid gland for both diffuse and nodular disease. The overwhelming majority of thyroid nodules are benign. Thyroid cancer is rare and accounts for less than 1% of…
Summary of Key Points To perform an ultrasound assessment of a transplanted organ, the sonographer should be aware of the surgical technique used including the type and location of vascular and nonvascular anastomoses. Gray-scale parenchymal changes often reflect the vascular…