Acoustic enhancement

Acoustic enhancement, also known as posterior acoustic enhancement or increased through-transmission, is a common ultrasound imaging artifact rather than a biological molecule or therapeutic target (Radiopaedia, rID: 41375). It occurs when ultrasound waves pass through a fluid-filled structure, such as a cyst or the gallbladder, which attenuates the sound beam significantly less than the surrounding solid tissues (StatPearls, NBK537143). As a result, the echoes returning from the tissues deep to the fluid-filled structure have a higher intensity, appearing brighter (hyperechoic) on the ultrasound display. This phenomenon is a diagnostic feature used by radiologists to differentiate fluid-filled lesions from solid masses, which typically cause acoustic shadowing (Frontiers in Oncology, 2020). In the context of drug delivery, the term may also refer to the use of acoustic energy (ultrasound) to enhance the transport of therapeutic agents across biological barriers, a process often involving sonoporation or microbubble cavitation (ACS, 2020). However, in neither case does 'Acoustic enhancement' represent a specific protein, receptor, or gene that can be targeted by pharmacological agents.

Other names

Posterior acoustic enhancementIncreased through-transmissionEnhanced through-transmissionPosterior reinforcementTransmission augmentation