Ultrasound and CT registration quality: Elastography vs. classical B-mode

Ultrasound and computed tomography registration is a valuable tool for interventional imaging and navigation, but current methods are limited in reliability or usefulness, requiring large fields of view, large ultrasound penetration depth, distinct image features, or contours of the investigated organs. Computationally cheap, small-field-of-view registration proved elusive so far. We propose the use of interventional ultrasound elastography imaging to perform limited-field-of-view, limited-features registration reliably, examining the image acquisition and registration in the example application of partial nephrectomies. Furthermore, the benefits of elastography vs. conventional B-Mode ultrasound imaging are investigated.