an experimental study, the US pattern of foreign materials such as are
often found in wounds, was investigated. The exploration was carried
out with the aid of high-resolution, mechanical US probes (10-12 MHz)
used to examine foreign bodies placed in a gelatine bath and in the sh
oulder of a pig. The study showed that all foreign bodies that measure
d at least 1-2 mm in diameter were reliably detected. The intensity of
the interface echoes was identical with all the materials employed, i
rrespective of the nature of the surface. However, the artefacts cause
d by the foreign bodies used revealed considerable differences: Comple
te acoustic shadow, acoustic attenuation, reverberation echoes and eve
n ''comet-tail'' artefacts were observed. Ln clinical practice, famili
arity with the artefacts that may be expected during sonographic explo
ration and localization of foreign bodies in wounds would seem to make
good sense.