A researcher at Johns Hopkins University in the US has developed the world’s first five-dimensional ultrasound system that will help surgeons detect and treat cancerous tumours.

The ultrasound technology currently used by most surgeons is predominantly two-dimensional. Some hospitals also use a more advanced 3D computer graphics. However, the 3D model is not real-time and takes longer to generate images, making it difficult for surgeons to use information from it while conducting complex surgeries that require real-time decision-making.

Dr Nishikant Deshmukh, who developed the breakthrough system as part of his PhD thesis, said his technology would give “vision to the surgeon for locating tumours while operating on patients”. In a nutshell, it combines 3D ultrasound B-mode and the 3D ultrasound elastography volumetric data and makes them available in real-time.

The advanced imaging model that he developed can generate elastography using graphic processing units at 60-70 frames per second, which enables combining elastography with real-time machine-generated B-mode images. Dr Deshmukh said his technology could be used for early-stage cancer detection in areas such as prostate and breast. “It will help a radiologist to determine whether the abnormally grown tissue is a potentially fatal tumour, or a more benign cyst.”