17 - 26 Operator’s Manual
17 Probes and Biopsy
Diagnostic ultrasound systems produce tomographic plane images with
information of a certain thickness in the thickness direction of the probe.
(That is to say, the information shown in the images consist all the
information scanned in the thickness direction of the probe.) So, even
though the biopsy needle appears to have penetrated the target object in
the image, it may not actually have done so. When the target for biopsy is
small, dispersion of the ultrasound beam may lead to image deviate from
the actual position. Pay attention to this.
If the target object and the biopsy needle appear in the image as shown in
the figures below (For reference only):
The biopsy needle may not have actually entered the target object even
though it appears to have done so in the image. To avoid this, note the
points below:
– Do not rely only on the needle tip in the image. Pay careful attention to
the fact that when the biopsy needle enters the target object or comes
into contact with it, the object should shift slightly.
– Before performing the biopsy, evaluate the size of the object and
confirm whether the biopsy can be carried out.
During biopsy of the probe, misoperation may occur when the scan range is not set to “W”.
A The biopsy needle appears to reach
the target object in the image
B Dispersion of the ultrasound beam
1Biopsy 2Target
3Probe 4Needle
5 Ultrasound beam 6 Target
A
1
2
3
4
5
6
B