In medical ultrasound, a blooming artifact appears as an exaggerated, bright area on the image, often seen with highly reflective structures like calcifications or strong echoes. This occurs when the ultrasound system overestimates the size of these structures due to excessive gain settings or strong signals saturating the display. It can obscure underlying anatomy and mimic pathology, making accurate diagnosis challenging.
Recognizing and adjusting for blooming artifacts is crucial in diagnostic ultrasound. Sonographers must optimize gain and dynamic range settings to prevent this distortion, ensuring clear, precise imaging for better patient care. Proper ultrasound image interpretation and artifact management are key for reliable medical assessments.