The feasibility of using microwave-induced thermoacoustic tomography for detection and evaluation of renal calculi.
Imaging of renal calculi is important for patients who suffered a urinary calculus prior to treatment. The available imaging techniques include plain x-ray, ultrasound scan, intravenous urogram, computed tomography, etc. However, the visualization of a uric acid calculus (radiolucent calculi) is difficult and often impossible by the above imaging methods. In this paper, a new detection method based on microwave-induced thermoacoustic tomography was developed to detect the renal calculi. Thermoacoustic images of calcium oxalate and uric acid calculus were compared with their x-ray images. The microwave absorption differences among the calcium oxalate calculus, uric acid calculus and normal kidney tissue could be evaluated by the amplitude of the thermoacoustic signals. The calculi hidden in the swine kidney were clearly imaged with excellent contrast and resolution in the three orthogonal thermoacoustic images. The results indicate that thermoacoustic imaging may be developed as a complementary method for detecting renal calculi, and its low cost and effective feature shows high potential for clinical applications.
Cao
Caijun
C
MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science and Institute of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, People's Republic of China.
Nie
Liming
L
Lou
Cunguang
C
Xing
Da
D
D000162:Acoustics; D000818:Animals; D002129:Calcium Oxalate / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002645:Chickens; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008872:Microwaves; D013696:Temperature; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
D002129:Calcium Oxalate; D014527:Uric Acid