Reconstructive Elasticity Imaging

Changes in soft tissue elasticity are usually related to some abnormal, pathological process. Because the Young’s modulus can differ by orders of magnitude between soft tissues,l there has been consistent interest in tissue elasticity. Unfortunately, no imaging modality, including ultrasound, nuclear magnetic resonance (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), can directly provide information about elasticity. Recently, several investigators2-6 have used internal motion induced by external forces to monitor tissue mechanical properties. Although mechanical properties are ultimately linked to patterns of internal deformation, deformational geometry can greatly affect the pattern as well. Consequently, to uniquely image tissue elasticity, the Young’s modulus must be reconstructed from estimates of internal displacement and strain.

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