A ghosting artifact in medical ultrasound appears as a duplicated, weaker image of a real structure, shifted along the ultrasound beam path. This artifact often arises from multiple reflections of sound waves between strong, highly reflective interfaces, such as air-tissue or bone-tissue boundaries. It can obscure true pathology or mimic additional structures, leading to misdiagnosis in various ultrasound examinations.
Understanding and identifying ghosting artifacts is crucial for accurate medical ultrasound interpretation and patient care. Sonographers and radiologists must recognize these imaging distortions to differentiate them from genuine anatomical features. Proper technique and adjustment of ultrasound settings can help minimize their occurrence, enhancing diagnostic confidence and optimizing overall image quality in diagnostic sonography.