Digital Object Identifier: 10.1109/ULTSYM.2008.

0484

Parametric Imaging of Specular Reflections

and Diffuse Scattering of Tissue from
Multi-Directional Ultrasound Echo Signal Data
M. Vogt, J. Opretzka, and H. Ermert
High Frequency Engineering Group,
Ruhr-University Bochum, IC 6/135
44780 Bochum, Germany
Michael.Vogt@rub.de

Abstract—In this paper, an approach for the extraction of
quantitative parameters from multi-directional ultrasound echo
signal data for the differentiation and characterization of
specular reflections and diffuse backscattering is presented and
evaluated. Spatially resolved, tissue-characterizing parametric
images are calculated by analyzing the envelope of echo signals
from different insonation angles. Frames of echo signals, which
are acquired with a limited-angle spatial compound imaging
system, are scan-converted, and the envelope of echo signals at
each pixel in the axial / lateral imaging plane is analyzed as a
function of the insonation angle. Statistical first-order
parameters are directly calculated from this data, and further
parameters are derived from fitted model functions. The
proposed concept has been evaluated by means of phantom
measurements and in vivo measurements on skin with a 20 MHz
high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) system for limited-angle (up
to +/-40°) pulse-echo measurements. Results of measurements on
a plastic tube, which is surrounded by a speckle phantom, show
that specular reflections can be distinguished from diffuse
backscattering. Furthermore, the surface orientation of specular
reflectors is depicted in parametric images. In vivo images of skin
show that specular reflections, for example at scar tissue and at
the border between the dermis and the subcutaneous fat, can be
detected and differentiated from their surrounding based on the
proposed parameters.
Keywords: Tissue characterization, spatial compound imaging,
high-frequency ultrasound, dermatology, skin imaging
I. INTRODUCTION
Ultrasound spatial compound imaging has proven to
successfully improve the image contrast, to achieve a more
isotropic resolution and to reduce imaging artifacts in
comparison with conventional B-mode imaging [1-4].
Recently, we have reported on a new 20 MHz HFUS system
for high-resolution limited-angle spatial compound imaging
[1].
The goal of the work presented in this paper was to evaluate
the potential of analyzing multi-directional echo signal data for
the differentiation between specular reflections and diffuse
scattering. It has already been shown that multi-directional, low
frequency ultrasound echo data can be applied for high-
resolution parametric imaging of tissue by analyzing the
scatterer size and the attenuation [4-5].
Also, approaches for the differentiation of specular
reflections and diffuse scattering from unidirectional, low
frequency echo signal data have already been proposed. Taxt
has suggested the computation of diffuse, specular and
quasiperiodic components of reflected ultrasound signals based
on a physical model [6]. A quantification of the specularity of
scattering by means of the generalized spectrum from short
radio-frequency (RF) A-scan segments has been proposed by
Varghese et al. [7]. Hokland et al. have applied a two-
dimensional deconvolution of ultrasound RF data along with a
Markov model for the restoration of medical ultrasound images
by taking specular and diffuse scattering into consideration [8].
In this paper, parametric images for the differentiation of
specular reflections and diffuse backscattering are derived from
the envelope of multi-directional echo signal data. The
proposed concept has been evaluated in skin imaging
applications, where HFUS is required for high resolution
imaging.
II. MULTI-DIRECTIONAL IMAGING SYSTEM
With the proposed parametric imaging concept, multi-
directional echo signal data, which are obtained by pulse-echo
measurements, are analyzed.
A. Echo Signal Acquisition and Processing
In Fig. 1, the scanning scheme of the utilized HFUS
limited-angle spatial compound imaging system is shown:
Lateral
scans
x
y α
Water
Tissue
z Angular scans (x,z)
Figure 1. Limited-angle multi-directional imaging of tissue.

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 With this system, frames of RF echo signals are acquired insonation angle perpendicular to the boundary and decreases
with a spherically focused single-element transducer ( 20 MHz with increasing angular deviation, see Fig. 2 b).
center frequency, 15 mm focus length) [1]. Mechanical scans
are performed along the lateral coordinate x , and the tilting B. Analysis of Echo Signals over the Insonation Angle
angle α in the lateral / axial image plane ( x, z ) is increased At each point ( x, z ) of the image plane, the scan-converted
from frame to frame in equal steps. The envelopes of acquired B-mode image data b( x, z, α) are analyzed as a function of the
RF echo signals are calculated, and scan-converted B-mode insonation angle α , see Fig. 3 a) and b):
images b( x, z , α n ) for discrete insonation angles α n are
a) b(x,z,α)
obtained by mapping the envelope data onto the ( x, z ) image
plane. Diffuse
backscattering
B. Limited-Angle Spatial Compound Imaging
MX
Spatial compound images bSC ( x, z ) are reconstructed by MN SD
the superposition of scan-converted B-mode images b( x, z , α n )
CT
and taking into account system parameters, which have been 0
obtained by calibration [1]: -αmax 0 +αmax α
b) b(x,z,α)
∑
N
bSC ( x, z ) = b ( x, z , α n ) (1) MX
n =1

Compared to conventional B-mode imaging, the quality of Specular

compound images is improved in terms of contrast, isotropy reflection
SD
and artifacts. With the implemented HFUS system, spatial
compound images with an axial and lateral resolution of MN
76μm and 170μm , respectively, are obtained [1]. 0
-αmax 0 CT +αmax α
III. MULTI-DIRECTIONAL PARAMETRIC IMAGING
In this section, parameters for the calculation of spatially Figure 3. Echo signal envelope b( x, z , α) (solid line) and fitted
resolved, tissue-characterizing parametric images from scan- model function (dashed line) over the insonation angle α :
a) Diffuse backscattering, b) Specular reflection.
converted multi-directional B-mode images b( x, z , α n ) are
motivated and discussed.
C. Tissue-Characterizing Parameters
A. Diffuse Backscattering and Specular Reflections Parametric images are calculated by extracting quantitative
In Fig. 2, the situations given in multi-directional pulse- parameters from the curves b( x, z, α) over the insonation angle
echo measurements with a point-like, diffuse scattering object, α at each point of the image plane.
and with a planar, specular reflecting acoustic inhomogeneity,
respectively, are illustrated: A first group of first-order statistics measures is directly
calculated from the curves, see Fig. 3 a) and b) and TABLE I:
a) b)
TABLE I. FIRST-ORDER STATISTICAL MEASURES

MN: Mean (average value)

SD: Standard deviation
y α x y α x MX: Maximum value
CT: Centroid
α α
Quotients SD/MN and MX/MN are calculated as
amplitude-invariant parameters from these data. Both
(x,z) (x,z) parameters are small for diffuse backscattering, see Fig. 3 a),
z z and large in the case of specular reflections, see Fig. 3 b). The
parameter CT is a measure for the surface orientation of
Figure 2. a) Diffuse backscattering, b) Specular reflection.
specular reflectors, compare Fig.2 b).
The envelope of echo signals is largely independent of the
insonation angle α in case of a diffusely scattering point-like
tissue object, see Fig. 2 a). ON the other hand, for specular
reflections at spatially extended planar boundaries between
tissue structures, the envelope shows a maximum at the

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 extent visible independent of their orientation, and speckle is
For a second group of parameters, the symmetric model considerably suppressed compared to conventional B-mode
function bmod (α ) in (2) is fitted in terms of least squares to the imaging [1].
measured curves b( x, z, α) over α at each point ( x, z ) of the
Parametric images have been reconstructed from echo data
image plane, see Fig. 3 a) and b): for tilting angles α = −25°, −22.5°,.., 25° . All parameters
SD/MN, MX/MN, and PK/OF in Fig. 4 are large at the
bmod (α) = p1 + p2 ⋅ exp(− p3 ⋅ (α − p4 )2 ) (2) specular reflecting surfaces of the tube, and they are small for
the diffuse backscattering from the surrounding speckle
The parameters in TABLE II are derived from the phantom. Consequently, specular reflections can be
analytical model function in (2): distinguished from diffuse scattering based on these
parameters. However, some artifacts appear beneath the tube,
PK = p1 + p2 , OF = p1 , PP = p4 (3) because the speckle phantom is shadowed by the tube for a
relatively large range of insonation angles. For this reason, as a
TABLE II. MEASURES FROM FITTED MODEL FUNCTIONS systematic error, the echo signal amplitude is not uniform over
the insonation angle, and the differentiation fails. The two
PK: Peak value (maximum) highly correlated parameter images CT and PP in Fig. 4 show
OF: Offset (baseline) the orientation of the circular surfaces of the tube, as long as
PP: Peak position echo signals from the reflecting surface are available within the
The amplitude-invariant parameter PK/OF is expected to acquired echo data set.
be small for diffuse backscattering, see Fig. 3 a), and large for
specular reflection, see Fig. 3 b). The parameter PP delivers the V. IN VIVO SKIN IMAGING
surface orientation of specular reflecting structures. The proposed parametric imaging concept has also been
evaluated in vivo on a 24 years old female volunteer. Again,
IV. EVALUATION ON PHANTOM MEASUREMENTS also a spatial compound image has been reconstructed. The
The proposed parametric imaging concept was evaluated by echo data for the images in Fig, 5 were acquired at normal
healthy skin at the forearm:
means of measurements on a water-filled plastic tube ( 2 mm
0 0
outer diameter, 200μm wall thicknesses), surrounded by a mm Skin
0 mm 1.6
0.5 dB 0.5
homogeneous speckle phantom (silica gel particles with 10μm 1.0
surface
-10
1.0
1.4
1.2
mean diameter in agar), see Fig. 4: 1.5 Dermis
-20 1.5 1.0
2.0 -30 2.0 0.8
0 0 2.5 2.5
0 mm 0.6
mm 1.8 Subcuta- -40
0.5 dB 0.5 3.0 SC neous fat 3.0 SD / MN 0.4
-10 1.6 -50
1.0 1.0 z0 z0 0.2
1.4 1 2 3 4 mm x 1 2 3 4 mm x
1.5 -20 1.5 1.2 0 0
2.0 -30 2.0 1.0 mm 4.5 mm 15°
0.5 4.0 0.5
2.5 2.5 0.8 10
-40 1.0
3.0 SC 3.0 SD / MN 0.6 3.5 1.0
5
-50 1.5 3.0 1.5
z0 z0 0.4 0
1 2 3 4 mm x 1 2 3 4 mm x 2.0 2.5 2.0
0 0 2.5 -5
2.0 2.5
mm 5.0 mm 15°
0.5 3.0 MX / MN 1.5 3.0 CT -10
4.5 0.5 10
1.0 1.0 -15
4.0 1.0 z0 1 2 3 4 mm x z0 1 2 3 4 mm x
5
1.5 3.5 1.5 0 0
2.0 0 mm 20 mm 30°
3.0 2.0
-5 0.5 0.5
2.5 2.5 2.5 20
-10 1.0 15 1.0
3.0 MX / MN 2.0 3.0 CT 10
1.5 1.5
z0 1.5 z0 -15 10 0
1 2 3 4 mm x 1 2 3 4 mm x 2.0 2.0
0 0 2.5 -10
2.5
mm 50 mm 45° 5
0.5 0.5 3.0 PK / OF 3.0 PP -20
40 30
1.0 1.0 z0 0 z0 -30
15 1 2 3 4 mm x 1 2 3 4 mm x
1.5 30 1.5
2.0 0
20 2.0 Figure 5. In vivo skin imaging, normal helathy skin:
2.5 2.5 -15
3.0 10 3.0 -30 Spatial compund image (SC) and parametric images.
PK / OF PP
z0 0 z0 -45
1 2 3 4 mm 1 2 3 4 mm
x x
In the spatial compound image, a strong echo appears at the
skin surface, and the layered skin and the subcutaneous fat can
Figure 4. Plastic tube surrounded by a speckle phantom:
Spatial compund image (SC) and parametric images. be identified. The dermis shows strong backscattering because
of its network of collagen fibers, and hypoechoic hair follicles
In the spatial compound (SC) image in Fig. 4 can be seen inside the dermis. Below, lamellar structures at the
( α = −32.5°, −30°,..,32.5° ), the inner and outer contours of the boundary between the dermis and the hypoechoic subcutaneous
plastic tube can clearly be identified. The surfaces are to a large fat are visible (see arrows). At the skin surface and at the

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lamellar structures, specular reflections are indicated in the VI. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
parametric images SD/MN and MX/MN. On the other hand,
In this paper, a concept for the distinction of specular
predominantly a diffuse backscattering is found inside the
reflections and diffuse scattering of tissue was presented.
dermis as a result of the echo signal analysis. Like in phantom
Quantitative parameters are derived from multi-directional
measurements, both parameters are strongly correlated with
envelope echo signals, which are acquired with a limited-angle
each other. The parameter CT shows plausible results for the
spatial compound imaging system, by analyzing the echo signal
surface orientation of the lamellar structures. Again, the
envelope at each point of the image plane as a function of the
parameter images PK/OF and PP, which have been obtained
insonation angle. First-order statistics parameters are directly
from the fitted model function, show very similar results like
calculated from this data, and a second group of parameters is
the ones from the first-order statistics.
derived from a fitted analytical model function.
As another example, images of a scar (see arrows), which
The proposed method was evaluated by means of phantom
resulted from a surgery on the elbow of the same volunteer, are
shown in Fig. 6: and in vivo measurements on skin with a 20 MHz HFUS
imaging system. It was shown that the proposed parameters
0 0
mm 0 mm 1.8 SD/MN, MX/MN, and PK/OF enable a differentiation between
dB 0.5
0.5
-10 1.6 specular reflections and diffuse scattering. In parameter images
1.0 1.0
1.5 -20 1.5
1.4 CT and PP, the surface orientation of specular reflecting
1.2
2.0 -30 2.0 1.0
structures is indicated. In vivo parameter images show that
2.5
-40
2.5 0.8 specular reflections inside the skin, for example at scar tissue
3.0 SC
-50
3.0 SD / MN 0.6 and at the border between the dermis and the subcutaneous fat,
0.4
z0 1 2 3 4 mm x z0 1 2 3 4 mm x can be detected and differentiated from their surrounding.
0 0
mm 5.0 mm 15°
0.5 4.5 0.5
1.0
10 ACKNOWLEDGMENT
4.0 1.0
5
1.5 3.5 1.5
0
This work was carried out in the framework of the Ruhr
2.0 3.0 2.0
-5
Center of Excellence for Medical Engineering (KMR),
2.5 2.5 2.5
3.0 MX / MN 2.0 3.0 CT -10 Bochum, Germany, and supported by the Federal Ministry of
z0 1.5 z0 -15 Education and Research, Germany (BMBF), grant 13N8079
1 2 3 4 mm x 1 2 3 4 mm x
0 0
mm 50 mm 45°
0.5 0.5 REFERENCES
40 30
1.0 1.0
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