The analysis of speckle and texture in medical ultrasonics

A basic assumption of `ultrasonic tissue characterization´ is that quantitation of the interactions between ultrasound and tissue will provide information which is more tissue specific than that obtained by current visual observation of pulse-echo images. Many approaches to this goal are being assessed; for example the measurement of propagation properties such as ultrasound speed, attenuation coefficient or nonlinearity parameter. In their laboratory the authors have tended to concentrate on quantifying tissue characteristics which are associated with morphology rather than chemical composition, as assessed by the ultrasound scattering-related properties of tissues. Some of the methods which they have developed, particularly those which they feel have potential for clinical application are described