What is Ultrasonography?
Ultrasonography is a medical imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body. It is widely used in medicine for diagnostic purposes and is considered a non-invasive, safe, and painless procedure.
How Does Ultrasonography Work?
In ultrasonography, a transducer sends out sound waves which bounce off tissues and organs. These echoes are then captured by the transducer and converted into visual images by a computer. The technique relies on the
acoustic impedance of different tissues to generate contrast in the images.
Role of Ultrasonography in Histology
In
histology, ultrasonography plays a crucial role in medical diagnostics and research. It helps in the
identification and
characterization of various tissue types, their structure, and any pathological changes. Although histology traditionally involves microscopic examination of tissue sections, ultrasonography provides a macroscopic view that complements these microscopic findings.
Applications in Histopathology
Ultrasonography is particularly valuable in histopathology for guiding
needle biopsies. By visualizing the target tissue, it ensures accurate sampling, thereby increasing the diagnostic yield. It is extensively used in breast, liver, and thyroid biopsies.
Advantages of Ultrasonography
Non-invasive: Unlike tissue biopsies, ultrasonography does not require tissue removal.
Real-time Imaging: It provides immediate visual feedback, which is useful in dynamic studies and guided procedures.
Safety: Since it uses sound waves instead of ionizing radiation, it is safer for repeated use, even during
pregnancy.
Limitations
Despite its numerous advantages, ultrasonography has limitations. It is highly operator-dependent, meaning the quality of the results can vary significantly. Moreover, it has limited ability to penetrate bone or air-filled structures, which restricts its use in certain anatomical regions.
