Histology-based simulations of ultrasound imaging: methodology

Simulations of ultrasound (US) images based on histology may shed light on the process by which microscopic tissue features translate to a US image and may enable predictions of feature detectability as a function of US system parameters. This technical note describes how whole-slide hematoxylin and eosin-stained histology images can be used to generate maps of fractional change in bulk modulus, whose convolution with the impulse response of the US system yields simulated US images. The method is illustrated by two canine mastocytoma histology images, one with and the other without signs of intra-operative hemorrhaging. Quantitative comparisons of the envelope statistics with corresponding clinical US images provide preliminary validation of the method.