What is the purpose of using standoff pads in breast ultrasound?

• A. To demonstrate superficial lesions and the skin line
• B. To increase depth-resolved resolution
• C. To reduce patient discomfort
• D. To protect the transducer

Answer: (A)

Standoff pads provide a layer of tissue-mimicking material between the transducer and the breast skin, creating a fixed, known distance and a medium with acoustic properties similar to soft tissue. This shifts the imaging focus to the superficial tissues, so the beam can visualize just beneath the skin surface without being overwhelmed by the transducer’s near-field artifacts. As a result, the skin line becomes clearer and very shallow lesions become easier to detect and characterize. While other goals like deeper resolution, comfort, or protecting the transducer are relevant in different contexts, the primary purpose here is to enhance visualization of superficial structures and the skin line.