The comet tail artifact.
A description and explanation of an unexpected echographic appearance in a patient who had sustained an abdominal shotgun wound is presented. In the B-scans, a trail of dense continuous echoes, simulating a comet tail, is seen distal to each lead pellet. This comet tail appearance is shown to be a type of reverberation artifact. The effect of object size, shape, composition, and orientation on the appearance of this artifact is demonstrated.
D000818:Animals; D016477:Artifacts; D004285:Dogs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007854:Lead; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*; D008670:Metals; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D013499:Surface Properties; D014159:Transducers; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D008670:Metals; D007854:Lead