Sonographic depiction of microvessel perfusion: principles and potential.
OBJECTIVE
To provide an overview of the technical aspects and potential clinical applications of microvessel perfusion as depicted by microbubble-enhanced sonography.


METHODS
Sonographic depiction of microvessel perfusion was obtained by microbubble-enhanced sonography. This technique was used for imaging in vivo murine tumors and was correlated with magnetic resonance and fluorodeoxyglucose autoradiography. Sonographic estimation of microvessel perfusion used parameters derived from time-activity curves.


RESULTS
Preliminary data indicate that accurate and reproducible quantification of microvessel perfusion is possible with the use of microbubble-enhanced sonography.


CONCLUSIONS
Microbubble-enhanced sonography can depict microvessel perfusion. This technique has several potential clinical applications, including assessment of tumor blood flow and changes that occur with treatment.
Fleischer
Arthur C
AC
Department of Radiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1161 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37232-2675, USA. arthur.fleischer@vanderbilt.edu
Niermann
Kenneth J
KJ
Donnelly
Edwin F
EF
Yankeelov
Thomas E
TE
Canniff
Kathryn M
KM
Hallahan
Dennis E
DE
Rothenberg
Mace E
ME
D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D045423:Microbubbles; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18