Errors in color doppler ultrasonography

Abstract

Artifacts are encountered daily in routine clinical sonography. They may be observed in B-mode gray-scale imaging, spectral pulsed Doppler imaging, and color Doppler imaging. In the context of imaging, the word “ artifact” is taken to mean components of the image that are generated in the imaging process but which are not properly indicative of the structures studied. Being aware of an artifact’s typical location and appearance helps to avoid misinterpretation and can actually be exploited diagnostically. Doppler artifacts can be grouped into three broad categories [1]: 1. Artifacts related to inappropriate settings, including Doppler gain setting errors, incorrect Doppler angle setting, velocity scale errors, and aliasing; 2. Anatomically related artifacts, including mirror image artifacts and “pseudo- flow” patterns; 3. Instrument-related artifacts, including directional ambiguity, twinkle artifacts, and vascular parietal calcifications.