Ultrasonic Backscatter Imaging for ACL Reconstruction and Shoulder Diseases

This study explores ultrasonic scattering imaging technology in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and those with shoulder musculoskeletal disorders. Ultrasonography, widely utilized for diagnosing musculoskeletal conditions, faces limitations due to factors like operator experience and equipment settings, often lacking in quantifiable disease metrics. Nakagami imaging, employing the backscattering statistical distribution model, offers a quantitative assessment method that minimizes subjective interpretation by extracting tissue properties through the interaction between ultrasound and tissue microstructure. The Nakagami model effectively describes tissue scattering statistics, enabling the identification and classification of tissue features based on specific scattering conditions. ACL reconstruction is commonly performed, with postoperative complications including joint stiffness and muscle strength decline, associated with changes in muscle quality and volume. Similarly, soft tissue injuries around the shoulder and ankle are prevalent in sports medicine, with ultrasound used to assess the severity of injuries to soft tissues such as the rotator cuff tendons/muscles and surrounding ligaments of the shoulder, as well as the medial and lateral ligament complexes of the ankle. Preliminary findings suggest that Nakagami imaging can differentiate layers within normal tendons, proposing its potential for visualizing and quantifying soft tissue lesions post-ultrasound, aiming for standardized diagnostic criteria. The results of this project could significantly improve the diagnostic efficacy of musculoskeletal ultrasound, facilitating earlier treatment and reducing the socio-economic impacts. Academically, it positions the investigating team as pioneers in the application of ultrasound inverse scattering imaging technology.