Validation of the depletion kinetic in semiquantitative ultrasonographic cerebral perfusion imaging using 2 different techniques of data acquisition.
OBJECTIVE
To validate the potential of ultrasonographic depletion imaging for semiquantitatively visualizing cerebral parenchymal perfusion with contrast burst depletion imaging (CODIM) in comparison with phase inversion harmonic depletion imaging (PIDIM) in healthy volunteers.


METHODS
Thirteen healthy adults were examined with both CODIM and PIDIM in accordance with previously described criteria. In addition to the perfusion coefficient, the time to decrease image intensity to 10% above equilibrium intensity from the initial value and the relative error (deviation of measured data from the fitted model) were evaluated to compare the reliability of both techniques in 3 different regions of interest.


RESULTS
Perfusion coefficient values did not show significantly differing values in both groups (1.57-1.64 * 10(-2) s(-1) for CODIM and 1.42-1.58 * 10(-2) s(-1) for PIDIM). The relative error was significantly smaller in the PIDIM group (0.38-0.53 for CODIM and 0.18-0.25 for PIDIM; P < .002).


CONCLUSIONS
Phase inversion harmonic depletion imaging proved to be more reliable than CODIM because values of the relative error were significantly lower in PIDIM even in this relatively small cohort. This is of interest because the underlying technique, phase inversion harmonic imaging, is more widely available than contrast burst imaging.
Department of Neurology, St Josef Hospital, Ruhr-University, Gudrunstrasse 56, D-44791 Bochum, Germany. jeyding@web.de
Jens
J
Eyding
Wilko
W
Wilkening
Christos
C
Krogias
Thilo
T
Hölscher
Horst
H
Przuntek
Saskia
S
Meves
Thomas
T
Postert
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004453:Echoencephalography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D045423:Microbubbles; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
D003287:Contrast Media; D005466:Fluorocarbons; C042852:perflutren