Electrical properties tomography: Available contrast and reconstruction capabilities

Abstract

MR-based electrical properties tomography converts the MRI transmit/receive RF field measurements to tissue electrical property maps through dedicated reconstruction algorithms. Recent reports showed that despite limitations, electrical properties tomography holds promise for generating additional contrast for tumor detection and patient-specific modeling of tissue-RF field interactions. This review summarizes the available tissue electrical property contrasts and compares them with the capabilities of the most commonly used electrical properties tomography reconstruction method. Future directions and prospects of clinical translation are discussed.

Keywords: B1 map; EPT; MREPT; bioimpedance; cancer; conductivity; electrical properties tomography; permittivity.