elasztográfiát

Elasztográfia is a medical imaging technique used to assess the mechanical properties of tissues, particularly their stiffness or elasticity. It works by measuring the tissue's response to applied stress or strain. In essence, it visualizes how much a tissue deforms when a force is applied to it, or how much force is needed to achieve a certain deformation. This information is valuable because changes in tissue stiffness are often indicative of disease. For instance, cancerous tumors are typically much harder than the surrounding healthy tissue.

There are several types of elastography, with ultrasound elastography and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) being the most common. Ultrasound elastography uses acoustic radiation force to generate shear waves that propagate through the tissue. The speed of these waves is then measured, and this speed is directly related to the tissue's stiffness. MRE, on the other hand, uses magnetic resonance imaging to track the motion of tissues induced by external mechanical vibrations. By analyzing this motion, stiffness maps of the tissue can be created.

Elastography has found applications in various medical fields, including the diagnosis and staging of liver fibrosis, the characterization of breast lesions, and the assessment of prostate cancer. It offers a non-invasive way to differentiate between benign and malignant tissues and can complement traditional imaging modalities by providing functional information about tissue composition. Its ability to detect subtle changes in elasticity makes it a promising tool for early disease detection and monitoring treatment response.