Ultrasound Elastography for Lung Disease Assessment

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Boran Zhou, Emory University; Xiaofeng Yang, Emory University; Xiaoming Zhang, Mayo Clinic, Rochester; Walter J Curran, Emory University; Tian Liu, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2020-09-24
• Publisher: IEEE
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © IEEE 2020.
• Final Published Version (URL): https://doi.org/10.1109/TUFFC.2020.3026536
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control
• Volume: 67
• Issue: 11
• Start Page: 2249
• End Page: 2257
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by the Emory Winship Cancer Institute.
• Keywords: lung disease; endobronchial ultrasound elastography (US-E); lung ultrasound surface wave elastography (LUSWE); COVID-19 pneumonia; pulmonary fibrosis; lung cancer
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, General

Abstract

Ultrasound elastography (US-E) is a noninvasive, safe, cost-effective and reliable technique to assess the mechanical properties of soft tissue and provide imaging biomarkers for pathological processes. Many lung diseases such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and interstitial lung disease are associated with dramatic changes in mechanical properties of lung tissues. Nevertheless, US-E is rarely used to image the lung because it is filled with air. The large difference in acoustic impedance between air and lung tissue results in the reflection of the ultrasound wave at the lung surface and, consequently, the loss of most ultrasound energy. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in US-E applications in evaluating lung diseases. This article provides a comprehensive review of the technological advances of US-E research on lung disease diagnosis. We introduce the basic principles and major techniques of US-E and provide information on various applications in lung disease assessment. Finally, the potential applications of US-E to the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia is discussed.