In Vivo Localized Harmonic Motion Imaging of VX2 Tumors

We evaluated the feasibility of localized harmonic motion (LHM) imaging for tumor detection in vivo. LHM was induced using a single-element focused ultrasound (FUS) transducer (80 mm focal, 100 mm diameter, 1.54 MHz) and a separate transducer (5 kHz PRF, 5 MHz) was used to track motion by cross-correlating RF signals. A scan was performed with the transducers assembly and LHM was induced 5 times per location. Images were formed averaging the calculated LHM amplitudes. Ten New Zealand rabbits had VX2 tumors implanted on their thighs. Tumors were located using Magnetic resonance images and LHM images were obtained. Eight out of ten tumors were visualized on LHM images as a region with lower amplitude (5.7 +/- 1.3 mu m in tumors and 19.5 +/- 5.8 mu m in muscle). All tumors had an elongated shape running along the muscle fibers. It was possible to detect tumors larger than 4mm in width (short axis of the tumor). We performed a FUS ablation of one tumor and the ablated region was detected as well on LHM images as a reduced LHM amplitude region.