Ultrasound nomenclature describes how structures appear on ultrasound images based on their echogenicity. Echogenic structures produce echoes, while anechoic structures appear black without echoes. Hypoechoic structures produce fewer echoes and appear darker gray, and hyperechoic structures produce more echoes and appear lighter gray. Isoechoic structures have similar echogenicity to neighboring tissues. Ultrasound can also describe textures as homogeneous if echogenicity is uniform, or heterogeneous if varied. Masses are described as simple cysts if completely anechoic, or complex cysts if containing septations, compartments or layers. Solid masses may be homogeneous, heterogeneous, hypoechoic to hyperechoic and can attenu
2. Ultrasound nomenclature
? Echogenic: the ability of a structure to produce echoes
? Anechoic: no echoes and sonolucent¡ªappears black on ultrasound
? Hypoechoic: less reflective and low amount of echoes when compared with neighboring
structures, appears as varying shades of darker gray
? Hyperechoic: highly reflective and echo rich when compared with neighboring structures,
appears as varying shades of lighter gray; the term echogenic is often used interchangeably
? Isoechoic: having similar echogenicity to a neighboring structure
12. ULTRASOUND DESCRIPTION OF MASSES
? Simple Cyst
? Completely anechoic, smooth walled, with posterior enhancement
? Complex Cyst
? Anechoic, smooth walled, with posterior enhancement
? Septations that appear as echogenic hair-like strands within mass
? Multilocular compartments (cluster of cysts)
? Fluid-fluid layers that may represent blood, fluid, or fat layers
13. ULTRASOUND DESCRIPTION OF MASSES
? Solid Mass
? Homogeneous or inhomogeneous
? Hypoechoic to hyperechoic
? May attenuate sound partially or completely
