2014 Volume 32 Issue 2 Pages 81-86
The viscoelasticity of tissue is related to numerous physiological and pathological states. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a phase-contrast technique that can noninvasively visualize shear wave patterns within tissue. The local quantitative tissue elasticity map, known as the elastogram, is reconstructed from the shear wave pattern using inversion algorithm. In order to generate and visualize shear waves within the tissue, various external drivers and pulse-sequence (MRI control program) have been developed. Furthermore, to obtain the quantitative elastogram from acquired shear wave images, various inversion algorithms are proposed. These three components are strongly dependent on each other. The purpose of this article is to summarize the current status and trend in research and development of MRE technology.
