In Vitro Uterine Strain Imaging

Maritza A Hobson, Miklos Z Kiss, Miklós Kiss, Tomy Varghese, Amy M Sommer, Mark A Kliewer, James A Zagzebski, Timothy J Hall, Josephine Harter, Ellen M Hartenbach, Ernest L Madsen
Journal of ultrasound in medicine : official journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine · 2007 · vol. 26(7) , pp. 899–908 · doi:10.7863/jum.2007.26.7.899 · PMID:17592053 · W2125685292
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Ultrasound strain imaging differentiated leiomyomas and endometrial polyps in excised uteri, with leiomyomas appearing stiffer and polyps softer than normal myometrium.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Uterine abnormalities, such as leiomyomas, endometrial polyps, and adenomyosis, are often clinically associated with irregular uterine bleeding. These abnormalities can have similar B-mode characteristics but require different treatment. The objective of this study was to develop diagnostic techniques based on ultrasound strain imaging that would allow in vivo visualization and characterization of endometrial and myometrial uterine abnormalities, enabling physicians to improve diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: Ultrasound strain imaging was performed on 29 uteri removed via elective hysterectomy. An ultrasound system with a linear array transducer was used to obtain radio frequency echo data during manual freehand compressions of the tissue. Radio frequency data were post-processed with a 2-dimensional block-matching algorithm to generate strain images. RESULTS: In the uteri involved in this study, there were 19 leiomyomas, 1 case of adenomyosis, and 3 endometrial polyps observed on strain imaging. Leiomyomas appeared stiffer than the surrounding normal myometrium in strain images and were characterized by a slipping artifact at their boundary. Endometrial polyps appeared softer than the normal surrounding myometrium. The average strain contrast in small leiomyomas (<1.5 cm) compared to the myometrium was 1.75 +/- 1.14; the strain contrast was 2.50 +/- 1.15 in large leiomyomas and 0.40 +/- 0.05 in endometrial polyps. Leiomyoma strain contrast results were consistent with modulus contrast values from mechanical testing results. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound strain imaging can differentiate between endometrial polyps and leiomyomas. More data are necessary to validate these results and to ascertain whether other uterine abnormalities can also be differentiated.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715adenomyosis

MeSH descriptors

Uterine Diseases Uterine Neoplasms Uterus Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Diagnosis, Differential Elasticity Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometrium Endometrium Female Humans Image Enhancement Image Enhancement Leiomyoma Leiomyoma Middle Aged Myometrium

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Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

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Cited by (7)

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