MAGNETIC RESONANCE ELASTOGRAPHY FOR ULTRASOUND IMAGE SIMULATION

Ultrasound data is simulated using magnetic resonance (MR) elastography. MR elastography provides tissue characteristic information, such as elastic modulus, velocity, or stiffness. This tissue characteristic information indicates a density or viscosity of the tissue, allowing simulation of ultrasound data with MR acquired data. The same MR imaging system may be used to acquire the MR elastography and pre-operative anatomy information. The actual ultrasound information may be registered with simulated ultrasound information for registration of the actual ultrasound information with the MR anatomy information.