Basic Research
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2004. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Aug 15, 2004; 10(16): 2369-2372
Published online Aug 15, 2004. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i16.2369
Grey scale enhancement of rabbit liver and kidney by intravenous injection of a new lipid-coated ultrasound contrast agent
Ping Liu, Yun-Hua Gao, Kai-Bin Tan, Zheng Liu, Song Zuo
Ping Liu, Yun-Hua Gao, Kai-Bin Tan, Zheng Liu, Song Zuo, Department of Ultrasound, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30270384
Correspondence to: Professor Yun-hua Gao, Department of Ultrasound, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China. gaoyunhua116@hotmail.com
Telephone: +86-23-68774698 Fax: +86-23-68755631
Received: December 12, 2003
Revised: December 24, 2003
Accepted: January 15, 2004
Published online: August 15, 2004
Abstract

AIM: To assess the grey scale enhancement of a new lipid-coated ultrasound contrast agent in solid abdominal organs as liver and kidney.

METHODS: Size distribution and concentration of the lipid-coated contrast microbubbles were analyzed by a Coulter counter. Two-dimensional (2D) second harmonic imaging of the hepatic parenchyma, the inferior vena cava and the right kidney of the rabbits were acquired before and after contrast agent injection. Images were further quantified by histogram in Adobe Photoshop 6.0. Time-intensity curves of hepatic parenchyma, inferior vena cava and renal cortex were generated from the original grey scale.

RESULTS: The 2D images of hepatic parenchyma and cortex of the kidney were greatly enhanced after injection and the peak time could last more than 50 min.

CONCLUSION: This new lipid ultrasound contrast agent could significantly enhance the grey scale imaging of the hepatic parenchyma and the renal cortex for more than 50 min.

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