[Use of Ensemble tissue harmonic imaging to improve the resolution in ultrasound investigations of the head and neck area].
BACKGROUND
Using ultrasound diagnostic, deeper areas of tissue cannot be examined as easily as superficial areas. Therefore it was necessary to develop a new image processing technique for ultrasound platforms to improve the quality of sonographical resolution in deeper areas. Tissue Harmonic Imaging is a modern technique that uses the non-linear, "harmonic" parts of ultrasound waves. Ensemble Tissue Harmonic Imaging is a new technique that uses a "Wide Band Harmonic Imaging", based on a patented phase-inversion-technique, and improves imaging quality.


OBJECTIVE
Aim of the study is to show if Ensemble Harmonic Imaging can improve imaging quality even in superficial areas of tissue in comparison to fundamental B-Mode-technique.


METHODS
A Sonoline Elegra(R) high-end-scanner with 7.5 MHz linear array was used for this study. Differences of techniques ("fundamental"-sonographic-mode versus Ensemble Tissue Harmonic Imaging(R)-mode) are shown by investigation of six patients with various lesions of the head and neck area.


CONCLUSIONS
In all cases there was a gain of resolution by using Ensemble Tissue Harmonic Imaging even in superficial areas. Ensemble Tissue Harmonic Imaging improves the sonographical resolution and reduces the artifacts.
Schade
G
G
Abteilung für Hör-, Stimm- und Sprachheilkunde Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany. gschade@uke.uni-hamburg.de
D016477:Artifacts; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000295:instrumentation
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