Standardized practices and 3D ultrasound imaging
April 9, 2011
Anyone that has worked with ultrasound imaging knows how difficult it is to recognise structures with the naked eye. Training and experience play a very important role in interpreting those images, and, most importantly, in recognising anomalities.
A recent study by researchers from California has shown that detailed instruction in obtaining 3DUS images of fetal profiles improved the image quality obtained by phisicians. Teaching physicians in a standardized way may help improve the use of 3DUS in clinical practice for a broader spectrum of pathologies: for instance, in image guidance for radiotherapy & brachytherapy in gyneacology, breast, prostate and other cancer types.
Researchers from the Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY USA have developed an algorithm that makes use of the elasticity properties of tissues to characterize malignant tumors. They use an ultrasound device and they process the radiofrequency data to reconstruct the linear and non-linear elasticity properties of tissue, by calculating the displacement within the tissue and mapping the spatial distribution with the material properties that would give that displacement. In order to measure the non-elasticity properties, the tissue needs to be deformed up to 20%, which limits the areas of application of this technology. Currently, they are investigating atherosclerosis disease and skin cancer, besides breast.
For more information, please refer to the published article
Autofluorescence imaging is becoming more and more important in the assessment of the severity of a variety of diseases. Recently, researchers from Vojvodina, Clinic for Pulmonary Oncology, Serbia, have shown the benefits of autofluorescence imaging videobronchoscopy (AFI). AFI is one of the new systems of autofluorescence bronchoscopy designed for thorough examination of bronchial mucosa. Indications for AFI go from evaluation of early-stage lung cancer and detection of precancerous lesions, to evaluation of tumor extension or follow-up after surgical resection. This technique provides clear differentiation between normal and pathologically altered mucosa. However, AFI has a low specificity in the detection of premalignant lesions, early-stage lung cancer. According to the researchers, this disadvantage could be overcome by addition of backscattered light analysis, ultraviolet spectra, fluorescence-reflectance or dual digital systems. In addition, quantitative image analysis is also required to reduce intra and inter-observer variability in the assessment of the disease. For more information, Expert Rev Med Devices. 2011 Mar;8(2):167-72.
