Ultrasonic B-Line–Like Artifacts Generated with Simple Experimental Models Provide Clues to Solve Key Issues in B-Lines

We evaluated the influence of settings on an ultrasound machine on the configuration of a single B-line in a healthy model and analyzed the frequency spectrum. We also devised simple experimental models that generated B-line–like artifacts and evaluated the influence of the machine settings on the configuration. Visualization of B-lines was affected by the spatial compound imaging, the focal zone and the frequency. The spectra of both the B-line and non–B-line region at the same depth had the same center frequency and bandwidth. B-line–like artifact was generated by a spindle-shaped juice sac of a mandarin orange, an edible string-shaped glucomannan gel, glass beads and glass plates. Visualization of B-line–like artifacts was also affected by these machine settings. Our study indicated that the physical basis of some B-lines is multiple reverberations. B-line–like artifacts provide clues for solving key issues, such as the physical basis of B-lines, the sonographic-pathologic correlation in B-lines and the effects of machine settings.