elastographybased

Elastography-based imaging refers to a family of techniques that estimate tissue stiffness by measuring how tissues deform under applied mechanical stress or physiological motion. By producing maps of elasticity, these methods complement conventional imaging and assist in the detection, characterization, and staging of disease.

Principles involve inducing or measuring mechanical waves in tissue. Ultrasound elastography can use manual compression (strain imaging) or generate shear waves with focused ultrasound (shear wave elastography). MR elastography uses external drivers to create low-frequency shear waves and MRI to visualize their propagation. Stiffness is inferred from wave speed or tissue deformation using elastic models.

Common techniques include ultrasound strain and shear wave elastography, transient elastography (FibroScan), MR elastography, and optical elastography for superficial tissues. They yield qualitative stiffness maps or quantitative values that assist diagnosis and monitoring.

Applications include staging liver fibrosis, characterizing breast and thyroid nodules, and assessing cancers in pancreas or prostate, as well as evaluating tendons and other musculoskeletal tissues. Elastography is often used to guide biopsies and monitor treatment response.

Limitations include operator dependency, depth and motion constraints, and cross-device variability. Inflammation, edema, obesity, and tissue anisotropy can affect measurements, highlighting the need for standardized protocols and calibration.

The approach emerged in the 1990s–2000s and has become widespread, particularly for liver disease. Ongoing work aims at 3D and quantitative elastography, improved standardization, and integration with artificial intelligence to aid interpretation.