Elasticity is a physical property that describes how well a tissue can deform under pressure and then return to its original shape when the pressure is removed. In ultrasound, tissue elasticity has become increasingly important with the development of elastography, a technique that evaluates tissue stiffness. Healthy tissues like normal liver and thyroid are relatively elastic and soft, while diseased tissues, such as fibrotic liver, cancerous nodules, and scarred tendons, tend to be stiffer and less elastic. By measuring tissue elasticity, ultrasound can provide additional diagnostic information beyond what traditional B-mode and Doppler imaging offer, helping to distinguish benign from malignant lesions and to grade the severity of liver fibrosis.
Sonography Term