Twinkle artifact is an ultrasound artifact characterized by bright, twinkling echoes that appear and disappear randomly during imaging. It is caused by the presence of reflective particles, such as gas bubbles or microcalcifications, within the field of view. The particles vibrate and scatter the ultrasound waves, creating the characteristic twinkling effect. Twinkle artifacts can interfere with the interpretation of ultrasound images and may indicate underlying medical conditions, such as cholecystitis or kidney stones.
