Ultrasound fundamentals and their clinical implications for interventional cytopathologists

Abstract

ObjectiveTo describe the most important concepts in ultrasound physics that interventional cytopathologists need to understand in order to successfully perform ultrasound‐guided needle biopsies.MethodsReview of the literature.ResultsA deep understanding of ultrasound physics and the mathematics supporting it are not necessary. The most important concepts are frequency, attenuation, overall gain, time‐gain compensation, focus, spatial resolution, temporal resolution and Doppler.ConclusionBy understanding these eight basic concepts of ultrasound physics and their clinical implications, interventional cytopathologists can faithfully reproduce the imaging findings of the radiologist and locate the target to precisely guide a needle for biopsy.