Which elements are included in the protocol for a diagnostic sonogram?

Which elements are included in the protocol for a diagnostic sonogram?

• A. SAG & TRV of AOC with/without color, fremitus; SAG & TRV of AOP with/without color, elastography
• B. Full body MRI sequences
• C. CT chest with contrast
• D. Nuclear medicine bone scan

Answer: (A)

In a diagnostic breast ultrasound, you gather information using ultrasound-only techniques in two orthogonal planes to thoroughly evaluate the areas of interest. The protocol typically includes sagittal (long-axis) and transverse (short-axis) views of defined regions such as AOC and AOP, with the option to add color Doppler to assess blood flow. Elastography is used to measure tissue stiffness, which can help distinguish benign from malignant features. Fremitus may be included as an adjunct to explore mechanical properties of a lesion. These elements—two-plane imaging plus color Doppler, elastography, and, when used, fremitus—are specific to ultrasound evaluation. In contrast, full body MRI sequences, CT chest with contrast, and nuclear medicine bone scans are other imaging modalities and are not part of the diagnostic sonogram protocol.

In a diagnostic breast ultrasound, you gather information using ultrasound-only techniques in two orthogonal planes to thoroughly evaluate the areas of interest. The protocol typically includes sagittal (long-axis) and transverse (short-axis) views of defined regions such as AOC and AOP, with the option to add color Doppler to assess blood flow. Elastography is used to measure tissue stiffness, which can help distinguish benign from malignant features. Fremitus may be included as an adjunct to explore mechanical properties of a lesion. These elements—two-plane imaging plus color Doppler, elastography, and, when used, fremitus—are specific to ultrasound evaluation. In contrast, full body MRI sequences, CT chest with contrast, and nuclear medicine bone scans are other imaging modalities and are not part of the diagnostic sonogram protocol.