The effects of acoustic power and exposure time on the hyperecho in ultrasound images at 55 °C using MRI and US guided HIFU in a bovine liver specimen

Ex vivo bovine liver specimens were exposed to the MRI-guided HIFU with the focusing depth of 15 mm in the specimens and various acoustic power (50 W, 100 W, 150 W, 200 W, 250 W and 300 W). Our interest was focused on a case of 55° C in situ temperature. The temperature in situ was monitored via the T-map of MRI. The exposure time needed to reach 55° C in the focus for a acoustic power was recorded. The same procedure was repeated to new but similar bovine liver exposed to the US-guided HIFU with the same sonication parameters. The procedure was also monitored by a passive cavitation detection system. The results showed to reach 55° C in situ the exposure time decreased with the increase of acoustic power. The coagulative necrosis occurred when the acoustic power was 50 W, but no hyperecho in US images and half harmonic emission were found. The coagulative necrosis, hyperechoic US images and half harmonic emissions were observed when the acoustic power was 100 W or greater. At 55° C, since no boiling bubbles occurred, therefore we concluded that the hyperecho in US images were caused by acoustic cavitation whose occurrence is determined by the applied acoustic power. Keywords: MRI-guided HIFU, US-guided HIFU, Coagulative necrosis, hyperecho, Acoustic cavitation This work was supported by National Nature and Science Foundation of China (No. 30830040, 30970827)