Technical Considerations of the Ultrasonic Impulse Apparatus

Abstract

Ultrasonic diagnostics presents a method by which internal tissue structures of the body can be represented on film. The type of films obtained from such an examination is determined by the technical construction of the ultrasonic echo apparatus. An ultrasound examination can produce an unidimensional picture (A-scope technique) or a two-dimensional picture (B-scope and C-scope techniques). The future is definitely more promising for two-dimensional sonoencephalography, since it has already been successfully employed in ophthalmology, internal medicine, surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology. Two-dimensional sonoencephalography poses several problems; namely, attachment of the probe, the individually variating thickness of the osseous cranium, and the complicated anatomical structure of the ventricular system. Valid results have been obtained only in children, since in such subjects the boney structures of the head are still quite thin. Because of these problems, the unidimensional method will continue to predominate in clinical sonoencephalography. We will consequently limit our discussion of the two-dimensional method and con-centrate chiefly on the unidimensional examination (A-scope).