Shear wave elastography biases in abdominal wall layers characterization

Abstract

Ventral incisional hernia repair is one of the most common surgical procedures. The characterization of the abdominal wall layer mechanical properties is the first step towards personalized treatment. This study investigates the capability of elastography to assess these properties using an in vivo and in vitro model of abdominal wall layers. Two experiment approaches are considered: shear wave elastography imaging and guided wave dispersion characterization, where the latter is used as a reference. Results show measurement biases in the shear wave elastography approach in such a layer structure configuration. Methods to overcome these biases are suggested to improve and to correct the elastography approach for abdominal wall layers and similar anatomical structures.