Appendicular Ultrasound

Abstract

Over the past decade, ultrasound has made an enormous impact on the radiologist’s ability to image anatomy that is beyond the reach of plain film radiography. In the fields of obstetric care, upper abdominal and pelvic disease, ultrasound is not only an important, but frequently the only, diagnostic modality needed to achieve a diagnosis. There are, however, areas where ultrasound is known to be of limited or no value due mainly to the physical principles that govern the transmission of ultrasound. Imaging the adult brain, through an intact skull, pulmonary pathology through air-containing lung, and the large and small bowel may be cited as examples, but in air-free contiguous soft tissues ultrasound is excellent.