In medical ultrasound, range ambiguity is an artifact occurring when echoes from deep structures arrive after the next pulse has been transmitted. The ultrasound system incorrectly places these delayed echoes closer to the transducer, causing superficial structures to appear deeper or false structures to appear. This misregistration of echoes is critical to understand for accurate diagnosis, as it can lead to misinterpretation of anatomical locations and the presence of pathology.
Understanding range ambiguity is vital for sonographers and radiologists to optimize imaging parameters and avoid diagnostic errors. Adjusting the pulse repetition frequency (PRF) or scanning depth can mitigate this artifact, ensuring precise visualization of anatomical structures and improving overall diagnostic confidence in ultrasound examinations.