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. 2011 Jan 7;17(1):49-52.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i1.49.

Hybrid ultrasound imaging techniques (fusion imaging)

Daniela Larisa Sandulescu  1 , Daniela Dumitrescu, Ion Rogoveanu, Adrian Saftoiu
Affiliations

Hybrid ultrasound imaging techniques (fusion imaging)

Daniela Larisa Sandulescu et al. World J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Visualization of tumor angiogenesis can facilitate non-invasive evaluation of tumor vascular characteristics to supplement the conventional diagnostic imaging goals of depicting tumor location, size, and morphology. Hybrid imaging techniques combine anatomic [ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)] and molecular (single photon emission CT and positron emission tomography) imaging modalities. One example is real-time virtual sonography, which combines ultrasound (grayscale, colour Doppler, or dynamic contrast harmonic imaging) with contrast-enhanced CT/MRI. The benefits of fusion imaging include an increased diagnostic confidence, direct comparison of the lesions using different imaging modalities, more precise monitoring of interventional procedures, and reduced radiation exposure.

Keywords: Angiogenesis; Focal liver lesions; Hybrid imaging; Real time virtual sonography.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The probe and the magnetic sensor are assembled with careful attention to the positions of the orientation marks.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The left liver lobe ultrasound and computed tomography images are visualized at the same time in real-time virtual sonography.
Figure 3
Figure 3
A 65-year-old male patient with liver metastases. The workstation monitor displays the ultrasound and computed tomography images in real-time.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Real-time virtual sonography of liver nodules with simultaneous display of the contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance section and ultrasound images. 2D (A), Power Doppler (B), and contrast enhanced ultrasound (C) vs the reconstructed corresponding image.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Single hepatocellular carcinoma (3 cm) nodule in a cirrhotic patient. In real-time virtual ultrasonography, after contrast agent injection, a progressive and intense enhancement is observed in the arterial phase (A), followed by wash-out in the tardive phase (B), on contrast-enhanced ultrasound, versus corresponding contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance images.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Real-time virtual sonography showing multiple metastases, better depicted on contrast-enhanced computed tomography as compared with ultrasound. A nodule in nodule aspect is visualized with excellent correlation on both contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance and real-time ultrasound.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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