A phantom study regarding the formation mechanism of mucosal epithelial echo on intraoral ultrasonography

Abstract Objectives This study is aimed to perform imaging of phantoms simulate intraoral ultrasound and investigate the formation mechanism mucosal epithelial echo. Methods In this study, we used phantoms, simulated layer (SML) with thickness 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 mm no SML, an intraoperative small linear probe as transducer. Acoustic coupling polymer gel agar were material, polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyethylene (PE) polymethylpentene (PMP) plastic wrap used. The thicknesses a surface echo measured on B‐mode images. Results A approximately 0.5 thick hyperechoic line structure 1.0 deep in 3.0‐mm which presumed be artifacts, visualized all combinations acoustic material except PMP wrap. When using gel, hypoechoic 0.2 was observed, even when SML present. Thickness appeared lesser images than its actual depth, most accurate measurement obtained together Conclusion artifacts may have prevented visualization over area that 0.6–0.7 thick. shows performed by method, it not possible accurately visualize epithelium.