In vivo attenuation estimation in human thyroid nodules using the regularized spectral log difference technique: Initial pilot study

摘要

In vivo estimation of attenuation coefficients is useful because of its potential for tissue characterization and relevance in accurate backscatter coefficient estimation. However, current methods based on spectral analysis for ultrasonic attenuation estimation suffer from a severe trade-off between estimation precision and spatial resolution. Recently, the regularized spectral log difference (RSLD) technique was proposed to extend such trade-off in attenuation coefficient slope (ACS) estimation. The RSLD technique has been tested with simulated data and physical phantoms. Therefore, the aim of this pilot study is to validate the feasibility of in vivo estimation of ACSs from thyroid nodules using the RSLD technique.