ARDMS (American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography) Practice Test

What recent technological advancement is used for assessing tissue stiffness in organs such as the liver, breast, prostate, and thyroid?

1. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound

2. Elastography

3. Fusion imaging

4. Harmonics

The correct answer is: Elastography

Elastography is the recent technological advancement used for assessing tissue stiffness in various organs such as the liver, breast, prostate, and thyroid. Elastography provides valuable information about tissue elasticity, which can be indicative of various pathologies such as fibrosis, cirrhosis, tumors, and inflammation. By measuring tissue stiffness, elastography can help in the early detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of various medical conditions. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (Choice A) is a technique used to enhance the visualization of blood flow within tissues or organs by using contrast agents. While it is a valuable tool in assessing vascularity, it is not primarily used for assessing tissue stiffness. Fusion imaging (Choice C) involves combining two different imaging modalities to provide a more comprehensive and correlated view. It is not specifically used for assessing tissue stiffness. Harmonics (Choice D) refers to a technique used in ultrasound imaging to improve image quality by reducing artifacts and enhancing contrast resolution. However, it is not the recent technological advancement specifically designed for assessing tissue stiffness.