ULTRASONOGRAPHIC DETECTION OF FOREIGN-BOD IES - AN EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY

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.