Answer 6_5_6

Any of these points:

Advantages

• There are no known hazards with low frequency (low energy) beams.

• It is non-invasive.

• There is no discomfort apart from a cold probe!

• More effective than X-ray techniques in producing images of soft tissue;

• The equipment is relatively inexpensive, can be moved about very easily, and does not need a specialist room.

• There are no hazards for the operator.

Disadvantages:

• The sonographer has to be skilled at operating the probe and its associated equipment to get a decent image.

• The image needs skilful interpretation.

• Attenuation can reduce the resolution of the image.

• Bone absorbs ultrasound so that brain images are hard to get;

• Gas-soft tissue interfaces reflect 99.9% of the incident energy.  Images of tissues on the far side of lungs are impossible to get.

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