Imaging of Soft Tissues

This is a prospective study that will recruit males and females 18 years of age and older who present to the department for a clinically indicated ultrasound of a superficial soft tissue abnormality with prior or following MRI / CT assessment ordered for clinical purposes. The elasticity properties of tissues depend on their molecular building blocks and on the organization of these blocks. Injuries, disease etc are known to be associated with changes in tissue elasticity. Little research has been done on the potential of sonoelastographic (elasticity ultrasound imaging) assessment of normal, injured or healing muscles, tendons or ligaments. Elasticity changes in muscle, ligaments and tendons following injury may have implication on the choice of treatment and help in determine how the length of time needed to heal from an injury. Stiffness/elasticity of the tissue can be assessed by mechanical excitation with measurement of resultant tissue motion. Reconstruction of the elastic deformability (strain imaging) in real time ultrasound is known as sonoelastography. Elasticity ultrasound imaging will be performed on the area being evaluated clinically.