The reverberation artifact in medical ultrasound manifests as multiple bright, parallel lines on the image. This common imaging distortion occurs when the ultrasound beam repeatedly bounces between two highly reflective, parallel surfaces within the body, such as air-filled structures or metallic objects. These repetitive reflections create spurious echoes that appear deeper than the actual structure, obscuring underlying anatomy.
Recognizing reverberation artifacts is crucial for accurate diagnostic interpretation in medical ultrasound. Sonographers must differentiate these false echoes from true anatomical structures to avoid misdiagnosis. Understanding the physics behind reverberation helps in optimizing image settings and employing techniques to minimize their impact, ensuring clearer and more reliable ultrasound examinations.
