Analysis of tissue changes, measurement system effects, and motion artifacts in echo decorrelation imaging.

Echo decorrelation imaging, a method for mapping ablation-induced ultrasound echo changes, is analyzed. Local echo decorrelation is shown to approximate the decoherence spectrum of tissue reflectivity. Effects of the ultrasound measurement system, echo signal windowing, electronic noise, and tissue motion on echo decorrelation images are determined theoretically, leading to a method for reduction of motion and noise artifacts. Theoretical analysis is validated by simulations and experiments. Simulated decoherence of the scattering medium was recovered with root-mean-square error less than 10% with accuracy dependent on the correlation window size. Motion-induced decorrelation measured in an ex vivo pubovisceral muscle model showed similar trends to theoretical motion-induced decorrelation for a 2.1 MHz curvilinear array with decorrelation approaching unity for 3-4 mm elevational displacement or 1-1.6 mm range displacement. For in vivo imaging of porcine liver by a 7 MHz linear array, theoretical decorrelation computed using image-based motion estimates correlated significantly with measured decorrelation (r = 0.931, N = 10). Echo decorrelation artifacts incurred during in vivo radiofrequency ablation in the same porcine liver were effectively compensated based on the theoretical echo decorrelation model and measured pre-treatment decorrelation. These results demonstrate the potential of echo decorrelation imaging for quantification of heat-induced changes to the scattering tissue medium during thermal ablation.

Acoustic characterization of echogenic liposomes: frequency-dependent attenuation and backscatter.

Ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) are used clinically to aid detection and diagnosis of abnormal blood flow or perfusion. Characterization of UCAs can aid in the optimization of ultrasound parameters for enhanced image contrast. In this study echogenic liposomes (ELIPs) were characterized acoustically by measuring the frequency-dependent attenuation and backscatter coefficients at frequencies between 3 and 30 MHz using a broadband pulse-echo technique. The experimental methods were initially validated by comparing the attenuation and backscatter coefficients measured from 50-µm and 100-µm polystyrene microspheres with theoretical values. The size distribution of the ELIPs was measured and found to be polydisperse, ranging in size from 40 nm to 6 µm in diameter, with the highest number observed at 65 nm. The ELIP attenuation coefficients ranged from 3.7 ± 1.0 to 8.0 ± 3.3 dB/cm between 3 and 25 MHz. The backscatter coefficients were 0.011 ± 0.006 (cm str)(-1) between 6 and 9 MHz and 0.023 ± 0.006 (cm str)(-1) between 13 and 30 MHz. The measured scattering-to-attenuation ratio ranged from 8% to 22% between 6 and 25 MHz. Thus ELIPs can provide enhanced contrast over a broad range of frequencies and the scattering properties are suitable for various ultrasound imaging applications including diagnostic and intravascular ultrasound.

The potential applications of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in vascular neurosurgery.

This review assesses the feasibilty of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in neurosurgical applications, specifically occlusion of intact blood vessels. Fourteen articles were examined. In summary, MRI was effective for HIFU guidance whereas MR angiography assessed vessel occlusion. Several studies noted immediate occlusion of blood vessels with HIFU. Long-term data, though scarce, indicated a trend of vessel recanalization and return to pre-treatment diameters. Effective parameters for extracranial vascular occlusion included intensity ranges of 1,690-8,800 W/cm(2), duration <15 seconds, and 0.68-3.3 MHz frequency. A threshold frequency-intensity product of 8,250 MHzW/cm(2) was needed for vascular occlusion with a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 86%. Complications include skin burns, hemorrhage, and damage to surrounding structures. With evidence that HIFU can successfully occlude extracranial blood vessels, refinement in applications and demonstrable intracranial occlusion are needed.