Biological Hazard of Ultrasound: Focusing on Diagnostic Ultrasonography

Abstract

Among the two distinct medical ultrasound applications, diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound, the diagnostic application is widely used for non-invasive imaging to acquire both anatomical and functional information from inside the body. The advantages of diagnostic ultrasound are safety due to absence of ionizing radiation, patient-friendly convenience, and portability compared with other medical imaging tools. Even though diagnostic ultrasound is considered safe, the ultrasound beam could interact with tissue and produce biological effects. Thus, it is important for the ultrasound operator to understand possible ultrasound risks and apply safety precautions while monitoring the thermal or mechanical index if applicable. This article provides basic information about the biological effects of ultrasound and reviews the possible biological hazards.