Elastography: Ultrasonic imaging of tissue strain and elastic modulus in vivo

Abstract

We review the principles of elastography and some of its accomplishments to date in the area of breast imaging in vivo. We present a literature review of a variety of methods for the estimation of tissue elasticity that have been reported in the literature in the past 15 years, and of data on the elastic properties of soft tissues. This is followed by a description of elastography and its relationship to the theory of elasticity. The principles underlying the elastography imaging technique, and methods for time delay estimations and their tradeoffs are discussed. We then present results of computer simulations, phantom and tissue studies in vitro, and some breast imaging studies in vivo. After a discussion of the origin and appearance of some important elastographic artifacts, we conclude with some general observations and conclusions.