title: Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging of the abdomen: demonstration of feasibility and utility.
abstract: The feasibility of utilizing acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging to assess the mechanical properties of abdominal tissues was investigated. The thermal safety of the technique was also evaluated through the use of finite element method models. ARFI imaging was shown to be capable of imaging abdominal tissues at clinically realistic depths. Correspondence between anatomical structures in B-mode and ARFI images was observed. ARFI images showed similar tumor contrast when compared with B-mode images of ex vivo abdominal cancers. Finite element method models and in vitro measurements confirmed the thermal safety of ARFI imaging at depth. ARFI imaging is inexpensive, safe and convenient and is a promising modality for use in abdominal imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA. brian.fahey@duke.edu
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Fahey
authors.forename: Kathryn R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Nightingale
authors.forename: Rendon C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Mark L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Palmeri
authors.forename: Gregg E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Trahey
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000556:secondary; D014463:Ultrasonography