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Handheld ultrasound device for detection of non‐opaque and semi‐opaque foreign bodies in soft tissues *
Author(s) -
Levy Angela D.,
Harcke H. Theodore
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of clinical ultrasound
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.272
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1097-0096
pISSN - 0091-2751
DOI - 10.1002/jcu.10160
Subject(s) - echogenicity , opacity , ultrasound , acoustic shadow , medicine , foreign bodies , mobile device , biomedical engineering , soft tissue , radiology , optics , surgery , computer science , physics , operating system
Purpose The aim of this study was to determine whether a portable handheld ultrasound device can be used to visualize non‐opaque and semi‐opaque foreign bodies in soft tissues and to characterize their sonographic appearance. Methods Twenty‐two fragments composed of various natural and man‐made materials and ranging from 4 to 20 mm in the maximum longitudinal dimension were embedded into 2 thawed turkey breasts. Two sonographers who were unaware of the number, dimensions, and locations of the fragments used a handheld ultrasound device to detect and characterize the fragments on the basis of their surface echogenicity and acoustic shadowing. The sonographic appearance of each fragment was compared with its actual characteristics. Results All 22 embedded fragments were successfully identified and localized on sonography. Surface echogenicity and acoustic shadowing varied among the fragments. For some fragments, the sonographically measured maximum longitudinal dimension differed substantially from the actual dimension. Conclusions Use of a portable handheld ultrasound device is effective for the detection of foreign bodies with a diameter greater than 4 mm in soft tissues. The sonographic appearances of non‐opaque and semi‐opaque foreign bodies vary in their patterns of surface echogenicity and acoustic shadowing. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 31:183–188, 2003