An ultrasound system provides enhanced detection and visualization of a surgical needle in ultrasound data by performing shear wave elasticity imaging. A shear wave is induced in biological tissue having a surgical needle inserted therein. The ultrasound system acquires shear wave ultrasound data at a high pulse repetition frequency from the biological tissue having the surgical needle. A processor of the ultrasound system processes the shear wave ultrasound data to generate a map of the biological tissue and the surgical needle. A display system of the ultrasound system displays a representation of the surgical needle overlaid on an ultrasound image.
