A novel saline infusion sonohysterography-based strain imaging approach for evaluation of uterine abnormalities in vivo: preliminary results. J Ultrasound Med 2012 Apr;31(4):609-15
Date
03/24/2012Pubmed ID
22441918Pubmed Central ID
PMC3659397DOI
10.7863/jum.2012.31.4.609Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84864210694 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 6 CitationsAbstract
In this article, we demonstrate the feasibility of saline infusion sonohysterography-based strain imaging for the determination of stiffness variations in uterine masses in vivo. Strain images are estimated using a 2-dimensional multilevel hybrid algorithm developed for sector array ultrasound transducers. Coarse displacements are initially estimated using envelope echo signals, followed by a guided finer displacement estimation using window lengths on the order of 6 wavelengths and 7 A-lines on radiofrequency data. Strain images are obtained by estimating displacement slopes using least squares estimation. In this prospective study, we show that stiffer masses such as fibroids appear darker or as regions with low strain on strain images and are thus clearly differentiated when compared to normal uterine tissue. A high strain boundary around stiffer masses referred to as a "halo" due to increased slipping or sliding of the mass during the applied deformation is also visualized. Uterine polyps, on the other hand, are visualized as masses that are brighter or regions with high strain when compared to the background myometrium, indicating the presence of a softer mass. Axial strain images provide additional new information that may supplement current clinical B-mode imaging used for the diagnosis of uterine abnormalities. Our results show the feasibility of improving clinical diagnosis based on strain imaging.
Author List
Omari EA, Varghese T, Kliewer MAAuthor
Eenas Omari PhD Assistant Professor in the Radiation Oncology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultContrast Media
Elasticity Imaging Techniques
Female
Humans
Infusions, Parenteral
Middle Aged
Pilot Projects
Reproducibility of Results
Sensitivity and Specificity
Sodium Chloride
Uterine Neoplasms
