Archives: Glossary

Pyelonephritis is a kidney infection that may show as enlarged, swollen kidneys with increased blood flow on ultrasound.

Pulse wave Doppler is an ultrasound technique that measures blood flow velocity at a specific depth using a sample volume gate.

The pulsatility index is a Doppler measurement that reflects the resistance to blood flow in a vessel, calculated from systolic and diastolic velocities.

A pseudocyst is a fluid collection enclosed by a wall of fibrous tissue rather than a true epithelial lining, most commonly associated with the pancreas.

A psoas abscess is an infection within the psoas muscle, appearing as a fluid collection on ultrasound, often requiring image-guided drainage.

The prostate is a male reproductive gland located below the bladder, commonly evaluated by transabdominal and transrectal ultrasound.

Post-void residual is the amount of urine remaining in the bladder after urination, measured by ultrasound to assess bladder function.

Posterior acoustic shadowing is a dark area behind a dense structure on ultrasound, commonly seen behind gallstones and calcifications.

Portal venous gas is the presence of air in the portal venous system, appearing as bright, moving echoes on ultrasound, often indicating a serious condition.

The portal vein is the major vessel carrying nutrient-rich blood from the digestive organs to the liver, routinely assessed on abdominal ultrasound.