Applications of Ultrasound Localization Microscopy in Abdominal Imaging

Abstract

Ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM) is an ultrasound technique capable of overcoming the acoustic diffraction limit to achieve super resolution imaging of microvasculature, simultaneously balancing imaging depth and resolution. Abdominal organs are rich in microvasculature, and pathological processes in these organs are often accompanied by microvascular alterations, such as in tumors, chronic liver and kidney diseases, and allograft. Therefore, for abdominal organs, ULM represents a promising tool for aiding disease diagnosis and monitoring. Currently, an increasing number of studies are exploring the preclinical and clinical applications of ULM in both healthy and diseased abdominal organs. This paper aims to provide a systematic review of ULM applications in abdominal organs, while briefly discussing its limitations and future prospects.