Three-dimensional impedance map analysis of rabbit liver

J Acoust Soc Am. 2011 Nov;130(5):EL334-8. doi: 10.1121/1.3646024.

Abstract

Three-dimensional impedance maps (3DZMs) are computational models of acoustic impedance of tissue constructed from histology images. 3DZMs can be analyzed to estimate model-based quantitative ultrasound parameters such as effective scatterer diameter (ESD). In this study, 3DZMs were constructed from normal and fatty rabbit livers. Estimates of ESD were made using the fluid-filled sphere scattering model. Weighting toward smaller scatterer sizes produced ESD estimates of 7.5 ± 1.3 and 7.0 ± 0.3 μm for normal and fatty liver, respectively, approximately the size of a liver cell nucleus. This suggests the nucleus could be a primary source of scattering in liver.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Fatty Liver / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fatty Liver / pathology
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted*
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional*
  • Liver / diagnostic imaging*
  • Liver / pathology
  • Rabbits
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Staining and Labeling
  • Ultrasonics*
  • Ultrasonography