Noninvasive assessment of intracranial pressure using Nakagami-based quantitative ultrasound
Abstract
Noninvasive assessment of intracranial pressure (ICP) remains a significant clinical challenge. This study investigates quantitative ultrasound based on the Nakagami statistical model as an acoustic biomarker of ICP changes. Ultrasound radiofrequency data were acquired from brain tissue in three controlled preclinical porcine models under baseline conditions and following elevated ICP. Each animal underwent a baseline acquisition and a single elevated ICP condition (20, 30, or 40 mmHg), enabling evaluation across multipleICP levels. Envelope statistics were analyzed using a sliding-windowNakagami model to estimate the shape (m) and scale factor (Ω) parameters,which characterize the statistical properties of ultrasonic backscatter from tissue microstructure. Nakagami parameter maps were spatially averaged within defined regions of interest and correlated with invasively measured ICP values. Both parameters demonstrated systematic decreases with increasing ICP. Spearman correlation analysis revealed significant negative correlations between ICP and the shape parameter (ρ = −0.83, p < 0.01) and the scale factor parameter (ρ = −0.93, p < 0.01). Groupwise comparisons further showed clear separation between baseline and elevated ICP conditions. These findings support Nakagami-based quantitative ultrasound as an acoustics-driven, noninvasive approach for monitoring ICP. [Work was supported by NIH R01NS119473-05 and R01NS126469-03].
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