Ultrasound Homodyned-K Contrast-Weighted Summation Parametric Imaging Based on H-scan for Detecting Microwave Ablation Zones

The homodyned-K (HK) distribution is a generalized model of envelope statistics whose parameters alpha (the clustering parameter) and k (the coherent-to-diffuse signal ratio) can be used to monitor the thermal lesions. In this study, we proposed an ultrasound HK contrast-weighted summation (CWS) parametric imaging algorithm based on the H-scan technique and investigated the optimal window side length (WSL) of the HK parameters estimated by the XU estimator (an estimation method based on the first moment of the intensity and two log-moments, which was used in the proposed algorithm) through phantom simulations. H-scan diversified ultrasonic backscattered signals into low- and high-frequency passbands. After envelope detection and HK parameter estimation for each frequency band, the alpha and k parametric maps were obtained, respectively. According to the contrast between the target region and background, the (alpha or k) parametric maps of the dual-frequency band were weighted and summed, and then the CWS images were yielded by pseudo-color imaging. The proposed HK CWS parametric imaging algorithm was used to detect the microwave ablation coagulation zones of porcine liver ex vivo under different powers and treatment durations. The performance of the proposed algorithm was compared with that of the conventional HK parametric imaging and frequency diversity and compounding Nakagami imaging algorithms. For two-dimensional HK parametric imaging, it was found that a WSL equal to 4 pulse lengths of the transducer was sufficient for estimating the alpha and k parameters in terms of both parameter estimation stability and parametric imaging resolution. The HK CWS parametric imaging provided an improved contrast-to-noise ratio over conventional HK parametric imaging, and the HK alpha(cws) parametric imaging achieved the best accuracy and Dice score of coagulation zone detection.

Automated summary

In this study, an ultrasound HK contrast-weighted summation (CWS) parametric imaging algorithm based on the H-scan technique was proposed. The optimal window side length of the HK parameters estimated by the XU estimator was investigated through phantom simulations. The proposed algorithm provided improved contrast-to-noise ratio and achieved the best accuracy and Dice score of coagulation zone detection.