What is the most common consequence of the cavitation bioeffect?

The most common consequence of the cavitation bioeffect is cellular rupture. Cavitation occurs when there are fluctuations in pressure within a medium, leading to the formation of gas-filled bubbles. These bubbles can expand and contract violently when exposed to ultrasound, particularly under high-intensity conditions. This process can create mechanical stress on nearby cells, ultimately resulting in cellular damage or even rupture.

Cavitation can significantly impact the safety and efficacy of ultrasound treatments, making an understanding of its consequences essential for practitioners. While increased acoustic temperature, echo enhancement, and artifact formation can occur in the context of ultrasound imaging, they are not directly related to the cavitation bioeffect. Increased acoustic temperature refers to the rise in tissue temperature due to ultrasound absorption, echo enhancement relates to the amplification of echoes from structures within the body, and artifact formation involves discrepancies in imaging that can obscure or misrepresent anatomical structures. Thus, cellular rupture stands out as the primary consequence stemming from the cavitation effect.