Elasztográfia

Elasztográfia is a non-invasive medical imaging technique used to assess the stiffness or elasticity of biological tissues. It complements conventional imaging methods like ultrasound or MRI by providing information about tissue mechanical properties. The principle behind elastography is that stiffer tissues deform less than softer tissues when subjected to a mechanical force.

Various methods exist to perform elastography, broadly categorized into external compression elastography and vibration elastography. External compression elastography typically involves applying external pressure to the tissue, often with ultrasound transducer manipulation, and then observing the resulting deformation. Vibration elastography, on the other hand, induces vibrations within the tissue, either externally or internally, and then measures how these vibrations propagate. The speed and pattern of wave propagation are directly related to tissue stiffness.

Elastography has found significant applications in various medical fields. In liver disease diagnosis, it is used to assess liver fibrosis, where scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue, making it stiffer. It is also employed in breast imaging to differentiate between benign and malignant tumors, as cancerous masses tend to be stiffer than surrounding healthy tissue. Other applications include prostate cancer detection, thyroid nodule assessment, and musculoskeletal imaging.

The information obtained from elastography can help clinicians make more accurate diagnoses, monitor disease progression, and guide treatment decisions. It is often performed in conjunction with standard ultrasound or MRI examinations, providing complementary data that enhances diagnostic confidence. The ongoing development of elastography techniques aims to improve spatial resolution, accuracy, and accessibility.