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Refraction artifact on abdominal sonogram

  • Review Article–Gastroenterology
  • Published:
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Abstract

Ultrasonography (US) is the first-line diagnostic tool for observing the whole abdomen. Unfortunately, a wide spectrum of refraction-related artefactual images is very frequently encountered in routine US examinations. In addition, most practitioners currently perform abdominal US examinations without sufficient knowledge of refraction artifacts (RAs). This review article was designed to present many representative RA images seen in the clinical setting, with a brief explanation of the mechanism of these images, in certain cases through an analyzed and reconstructed method using computer simulation that supports clinical observations. RAs are encountered not only with B-mode US but also with Doppler US, contrast-enhanced US, and shear wave elastography. RAs change their appearance according to the situation, but they always have a significant effect on detailed interpretation of abdominal US images. Correct diagnosis of abdominal US relies on a deep understanding of each characteristic artifactual finding, which necessitates knowledge of basic US physics. When analyzing mass lesions, computer simulation analysis helps to reveal the global images of RAs around a lesion.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Yokote Municipal Hospital, 5-31 Negishi-cho, Yokote, Akita, 013-8602, Japan

    Hiroko Naganuma

  2. Center of Diagnostic Ultrasound, Akita Red Cross Hospital, Akita, Japan

    Hideaki Ishida

  3. Department of Gastroenterology, Ohmori Municipal Hospital, Yokote, Japan

    Atsushi Uno

  4. New Generation Imaging Laboratory, Tokyo, Japan

    Hiroshi Nagai

  5. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nihon University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

    Masahiro Ogawa

  6. GE Healthcare, Tokyo, Japan

    Naohisa Kamiyama

Authors
  1. Hiroko Naganuma
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  2. Hideaki Ishida
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  3. Atsushi Uno
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  4. Hiroshi Nagai
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  5. Masahiro Ogawa
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  6. Naohisa Kamiyama
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Correspondence to Hiroko Naganuma.

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Naganuma, H., Ishida, H., Uno, A. et al. Refraction artifact on abdominal sonogram. J Med Ultrasonics 48, 273–283 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10396-021-01097-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10396-021-01097-z

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