A study of imaging space occupying lesion using high-speed digital subtraction echography

The authors have already reported that a high-speed digital subtraction echography (Hs-DSE) system is useful to detect and visualize the motion of human internal organs. Using this Hs-DSE method under forced vibration, the authors studied if one can image more sensitively those lesions which are difficult to detect by a conventional B-mode echogram. The authors made a phantom using a hydrophilic cellulose block. They scooped a hole of 3 cm in diameter and filled the hole with sol mixed with gel and water to match the acoustic impedance of the surroundings. Vibrating this phantom by an audio-oscillator, the authors tried to detect the sol lesion by applying the Hs-DSE method. There were no significant differences between B-mode images of the sol lesion with and without forced vibration, but using Hs-DSE under forced vibration, scattered color signals were imaged, and the authors could distinctively detect the sol lesion. The authors therefore conclude that this system is useful for discriminating lesions of same acoustic impedance