title: Multi-modal magnetic resonance elastography for noninvasive assessment of ovarian tissue rigidity in vivo.
abstract: For centuries, physicians have relied on touch to palpate tissue and detect abnormalities throughout the body. While this time-tested method has provided a simple diagnostic examination for large, superficial abnormalities, it does not permit quantifiable measurements of stiffness in deeper, small organs. Advances in noninvasive imaging to measure tissue rigidity represent important extensions of manual palpation techniques. Tissue fibrosis occurs with age in many organs; in the ovary, it is thought to be a marker of polycystic ovary syndrome and age-related idiopathic infertility, although quantitative assessment of fibrosis in this deep, abdominal tissue has not been possible. We used noninvasive methods to quantify ovarian tissue rigidity and clarify the role of tissue stiffness in reproductive health. With proper validation against accepted standards, noninvasive imaging techniques may become the quantitative counterpart to interior probing palpation methods and invasive (surgical) diagnoses, with applications across many clinical settings, including evaluation of adolescent and young adult ovarian function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60201, USA.
authors.forename: Charles D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60201, USA.
authors.forename: Mayank
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vijayvergia
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N St, Clair Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Frank H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60201, USA; Department of Radiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N St, Clair Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N St, Clair Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fasanati
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60201, USA.
authors.forename: Lonnie D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Shea
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60201, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, 2220 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60201, USA. Electronic address: cbrinson@northwestern.edu.
authors.forename: L Catherine
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Brinson
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E. Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Teresa K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Woodruff
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000473:pathology*; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Alginate; Elastography; Nanoindentation; Ovary; Palpation