title: Quantitative evaluation of contrast enhanced transcranial Doppler signal using galactose based echo-contrast agent in dogs.
abstract: Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) is hindered by insufficient ultrasound penetration through the temporal bone. The use of echo-contrast agents to enhance the Doppler signal is an important step toward the solution of this problem. The aim of the present study was to investigate the tolerability and diagnostic value of the intravenous echo-contrast agent, Levovist. Levovist was administered intravenously in 8 dogs with two doses (0.2 and 0.3 ml/kg) at different concentrations (300 and 400 mg/ml). In right middle cerebral artery (RMCA), the duration and degree of the signal enhancement were measured by TCD. All 32 administrations of Levovist produced an increase in TCD signal of the RMCA without complications. The first assessable pulse curve could be seen on the screen after 4 to 7 seconds after injection. There was no significant difference of latency period between different concentration and dosage. The signal amplitude was increased homogeneously by more than 30 dB when 0.3 ml/kg with 300 mg/ml concentration of Levovist and 0.2 and 0.3 ml/kg with 400 mg/ml concentration were administered. There was no significant difference in the duration of optimal contrasting between 0.3 ml/kg with 300 mg/ml concentration of Levovist and 0.2 and 0.3 ml/kg with 400 mg/ml concentration. The duration of the signal enhancement was 144 to 422 seconds, depending on the degree of concentration and dose of administration. Optimal TCD signal enhancement of RMCA was obtained using 0.3 ml/kg with 300 mg/ml concentration of Levovist in dogs, which is considered to provide quality visualization.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, South Korea.
authors.forename: Woojo
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Hojung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Kichang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Heechun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Mincheol
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Junghee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yoon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004285:Dogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D005690:Galactose / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D011134:Polysaccharides; C059891:SHU 508; D005690:Galactose