Signal dropout on US probe due to dead element
Presentation
US probe regularly used for biopsies.
From the case:
Signal dropout on US probe due to dead element
Ultrasound
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Routine inspection of in-air reverberation pattern reveals a tiny defect of the scan field, better appreciated with a reduced depth, and increased B-mode gain. Note that the artifact is relatively obscure, as a barely discernible band of reduced echogenicity during normal use.
Case Discussion
The ultrasound probe defect was caused by a barely visible puncture of the probe lens, resulting in the characteristic dropout artifact due to the dead piezo element.