Hirofumi Taki1, Takuya Sakamoto2, Makoto Yamakawa3, Tsuyoshi Shiina4, Kenichi Nagae5, Toru Sato2. 1. Graduate School of Informatics, Kyoto University, Yoshida-honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan. hirofumi.taki@mb6.seikyou.ne.jp. 2. Graduate School of Informatics, Kyoto University, Yoshida-honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan. 3. Advanced Biomedical Engineering Research Unit, Kyoto University, Yoshida-honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan. 4. Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan. 5. Corporate R&D HQ, Canon Inc, 30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ohta-ku, Tokyo, 146-8501, Japan.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to propose a novel method to depict small calcifications in ultrasound B-mode images using decorrelation of forward scattered waves with no decrease in the frame rate. METHODS: Since the waveform of an ultrasound pulse changes when it passes through a calcification location, the echo waveform from regions behind the calcification is quite different from that without a calcification. This indicates that the existence of a calcification is predictable based upon the waveform difference between adjacent scan lines by calculating cross-correlation coefficients. In addition, a high-intensity echo should return from the calcification itself. Therefore, the proposed method depicts the high-intensity echo positions with posterior low correlation coefficient regions. RESULTS: Eleven of 15 wires 0.2-0.4 mm in diameter were depicted using this method, yielding a sensitivity of 73.3% and a specificity of 100%, even though they might go undetected under clinical inspection of ultrasound B-mode images. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that an US device could perform well in terms of calcification detection.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to propose a novel method to depict small calcifications in ultrasound B-mode images using decorrelation of forward scattered waves with no decrease in the frame rate. METHODS: Since the waveform of an ultrasound pulse changes when it passes through a calcification location, the echo waveform from regions behind the calcification is quite different from that without a calcification. This indicates that the existence of a calcification is predictable based upon the waveform difference between adjacent scan lines by calculating cross-correlation coefficients. In addition, a high-intensity echo should return from the calcification itself. Therefore, the proposed method depicts the high-intensity echo positions with posterior low correlation coefficient regions. RESULTS: Eleven of 15 wires 0.2-0.4 mm in diameter were depicted using this method, yielding a sensitivity of 73.3% and a specificity of 100%, even though they might go undetected under clinical inspection of ultrasound B-mode images. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that an US device could perform well in terms of calcification detection.
Authors: Thorsten Schmidt; Christian Hohl; Patrick Haage; Marcus Blaum; Dagmar Honnef; Claudia Weibeta; Gundula Staatz; R W Günther Journal: AJR Am J Roentgenol Date: 2003-06 Impact factor: 3.959