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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging of Mouse Diaphragm Function
Published on: April 21, 2014
Review of artifacts associated with transrectal ultrasound: understanding, recognition, and prevention of
F J Hulsmans1, J A Castelijns, J W Reeders
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Artifacts are inadequate representations of the structures being imaged. Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) used for evaluating rectal tumors has its own, unique spectrum of artifacts such as (1) pseudomasses (beam thickness: imaging of rectal folds; mirror image: reflection at an intraluminal fluid level); (2) inadequate size of the lesion (mirror image or grating lobes); (3) simulation of malignant infiltration (beam thickness, attenuation or refraction); (4) incomplete field of view (shadowing; reverberation or mirror-image); (5) confusing echo patterns (side lobe artifacts or mirror image: reflection at the balloon surface). The understanding of the physical properties of ultrasound is the basis for the recognition of these artifacts and prevention of misinterpretation. We present a review of these artifacts and their causes.
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