Averaging improves strain images of the biceps brachii using quasi-static ultrasound elastography.
OBJECTIVE
Quasi-static ultrasound elastography is a technique for measuring tissue deformation (strain) under externally applied loading and can be used to identify the presence of abnormalities. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of averaging strain images from repeated compression cycles in mitigating user-induced error using quasi-static ultrasound elastography.


METHODS
Freehand compressions were performed with an ultrasound transducer on the biceps brachii of nine participants (five males and four females), as well as with a custom automated compression system. Sets of strain images from the freehand techniques were averaged to create single representative images and compared against strain images from the automated compressions using both qualitative and quantitative metrics.


RESULTS
Significant improvements in intra-operator repeatability and interoperator reproducibility can be achieved by averaging strain images from four to eight repeated compressions. The resulting strain images did not lose significant image data compared with strain images from single automated compressions.


CONCLUSIONS
Averaging is introduced as a feasible and appropriate technique to improve strain image quality without sacrificing important image data.


CONCLUSIONS
Simple averaging of multiple freehand elastography measures can achieve a similar degree of accuracy, repeatability and reproducibility as that of more awkward and expensive automated methods. The resulting elastograms can be used to obtain a more accurate and complete diagnosis without additional cost to the doctor or the patient.
1 Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
M J
MJ
Leineweber
J
J
Westborn
A
A
Cochran
J
J
Choi
Y
Y
Gao
D000328:Adult; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055815:Young Adult