Which artifact is often detected due to improper patient positioning?

The mirror artifact is associated with the phenomenon of improper patient positioning, especially when the ultrasound beam is directed at a reflective surface, such as a diaphragm or an adjacent structure. When such positioning occurs, the ultrasound waves can reflect off the surface and create a false representation of structures, leading to the misinterpretation of anatomy on the ultrasound image. This artifact appears as a duplicate of a structure that is actually located behind the reflective surface, making it particularly important to ensure the correct patient positioning to mitigate this occurrence.

Other artifacts such as reverberation commonly arise from multiple reflections between interfaces in the body, while shadowing and enhancement artifacts are tied more directly to the acoustic properties of tissues and structures rather than positioning itself. Understanding how improper positioning leads to the mirror artifact can help clinicians avoid misdiagnosis during an ultrasound examination.