Effects of nonlinear elasticity on ultrasound elastography of normal breast tissues

doi:10.3877/cma.j.issn.1672-6448.2019.08.005

Abstract

Abstract:

Objective

To quantify the nonlinear elasticity of breast tissue to guide the manipulating mode of ultrasound elastography.

Methods

In this prospective study, 26 women who underwent physical examination at the Department of Ultrasound of Beijing Friendship Hospital from January 2014 to May 2014 were included. Among them, 14 women (8 cases of bilateral breasts and 6 cases of unilateral breast) participated in the study of non-linear breast deformation. Twelve women (8 cases of bilateral breasts and 4 cases of unilateral breast) participated in the study of non-linear deformation of breast tissue in static ultrasound elastography. We used ultrasound shear wave elastography to study the nonlinear elasticity of breast tissues in vivo (group A), and static ultrasound elastography to study effects of nonlinear elasticity on static ultrasound elastography (group B). The non-linear parameters [coefficient of hardening (b), initial shear modulus (μ₀), and stretch ratio (λ)] of the breast were calculated and the non-linear deformation characteristic curve of the breast was drawn. In group A, b and μ₀ of 8 subjects (bilateral breasts) were grouped according to the side of the breast and compared, while b and μ₀ of 14 subjects were divided into five groups according to their positions, which were upper (relative to the nipple), medial, lower, lateral, and upper lateral quadrant groups, and compared.

Results

The equations for b and μ₀ were: b=6.36±1.74 and μ₀=(3.01±0.47) kPa. No significant difference was found in the nonlinearity of bilateral breast (b_left=6.12±1.56, b_right=6.53±2.21, P=0.428). Also, F was 1.339 and 1.916 and P was 0.260 and 0.113, respectively, there was no significant difference among different relative locations (F=1.339 and 1.916, P=0.260 and 0.113, respectively). The minimum λ of the breast in static ultrasound elastography was 0.75±0.05, and the shear modulus was 5.72 times the initial value.

Conclusion

The elastic modulus of the breast increases nonlinearly with the decrease in the stretch ratio, implying that deformation should be controlled while applying static ultrasound elastography.

Key words: Ultrasonography, Mammary, Elasticity imaging techniques, Nonlinearity, Distortion

Si Liang, Xiangdong Hu, Dong Liu, Linxue Qian. Effects of nonlinear elasticity on ultrasound elastography of normal breast tissues[J]. Chinese Journal of Medical Ultrasound (Electronic Edition), 2019, 16(08): 575-580.

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URL: https://chaosheng.cma-cmc.com.cn/EN/10.3877/cma.j.issn.1672-6448.2019.08.005

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Figures/Tables 6

References 25

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非线性参数	例数（侧）	右侧	左侧	t值	P值
b	8（16）	6.53±2.22	6.12±1.56	0.520	0.428
μ₀（kPa）	8（16）	3.01±0.48	2.92±0.45	0.437	0.545

非线性参数	例数（侧）	右侧	左侧	t值	P值
b	8（16）	6.53±2.22	6.12±1.56	0.520	0.428
μ₀（kPa）	8（16）	3.01±0.48	2.92±0.45	0.437	0.545

非线性参数	例数（侧）	乳头内侧	乳头下方	乳头外侧	乳头上方	外上象限	F值	P值
b	14（22）	6.29±3.91	6.20±3.63	5.56±3.24	6.92±3.68	8.00±4.12	1.339	0.260
μ₀（kPa）	14（22）	2.75±0.94	3.19±1.10	2.70±0.60	3.31±0.60	3.10±0.90	1.916	0.113

非线性参数	例数（侧）	乳头内侧	乳头下方	乳头外侧	乳头上方	外上象限	F值	P值
b	14（22）	6.29±3.91	6.20±3.63	5.56±3.24	6.92±3.68	8.00±4.12	1.339	0.260
μ₀（kPa）	14（22）	2.75±0.94	3.19±1.10	2.70±0.60	3.31±0.60	3.10±0.90	1.916	0.113

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