title: High-Resolution Elastography for Thin-Layer Mechanical Characterization: Toward Skin Investigation.
abstract: Interest in elasticity estimation for thin layers is increasing because of the various potential applications, including dermatology and cosmetology. In this context, we propose a dedicated elastographic system using 1-D high-frequency transient elastography (HF-TE) to estimate the 1-D Young's modulus through the dermis and hypodermis, which are the two human skin layers of interest in this study. An experimental validation of the HF-TE method was first carried out on two homogeneous tissue-mimicking hard and soft phantoms. The Young's modulus values obtained in these phantoms were compared with those obtained by two complementary shear wave propagation techniques: shear wave-induced resonance elastography (SWIRE) and supersonic shear imaging (SSI). A third two-layer thin phantom, with mechanical properties similar to those of skin, was used to validate the ability of HF-TE to distinguish layers and measure elasticity. Finally, preliminary in vivo experiments conducted on forearm and cheek skin revealed the promising performance of HF-TE in measuring elasticity in the dermis and hypodermis.
authors.affiliation: Université François-Rabelais de Tours, Inserm, Imagerie et Cerveau UMR U930, Tours, France.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chartier
authors.affiliation: Université François-Rabelais de Tours, Inserm, Imagerie et Cerveau UMR U930, Tours, France. Electronic address: yassine.mofid@univ-tours.fr.
authors.forename: Yassine
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mofid
authors.affiliation: Echosens, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Cécile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bastard
authors.affiliation: Echosens, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Miette
authors.affiliation: CHRU de Tours, Tours, France.
authors.forename: Annabel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maruani
authors.affiliation: CHRU de Tours, Tours, France.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Machet
authors.affiliation: Université François-Rabelais de Tours, Inserm, Imagerie et Cerveau UMR U930, Tours, France; CHRU de Tours, Tours, France; INSERM CIC 1415, Tours, France.
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ossant
mesh_terms: D055119:Elastic Modulus / Q000502:physiology*; D004548:Elasticity / Q000502:physiology; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D012867:Skin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
keywords: Cheek skin; Dedicated elastographic system; Forearm skin; High-frequency transient elastography; Shear wave; Shear wave-induced resonance elastography; Supersonic shear imaging; Thin layers; Two-layer phantom; Young's modulus