What transducer type will improve the artifact demonstrated in the previous question?

• A. Linear array
• B. 1.5D or multi-row array
• C. Mechanical 3D
• D. Phased array

Answer: (B)

When an artifact is tied to limited elevational resolution, you need a transducer that can focus in the elevation direction. A 1.5D or multi-row array does exactly that by using multiple rows of elements and electronic focusing in the elevational plane. This creates a much thinner slice thickness and better elevation resolution, so echoes from structures outside the imaging plane contribute less to the image. The result is reduced partial-volume and out-of-plane blur, making the anatomy and any lesions clearer and more accurate.

Other transducer types don’t address elevational focusing as effectively. A linear array excels in the imaging plane but has relatively broader elevational beam width, so out-of-plane artifacts persist. Phased arrays and mechanical 3D systems can produce volume images, but they don’t provide the same level of elevational control and slice-thickness improvement as a 1.5D or multi-row array, which is why that option best mitigates the artifact.