Regularized estimation of contrast agent attenuation to improve the imaging of microbubbles in small animal studies.
Quantitative analysis of tissue perfusion using contrast-enhanced ultrasound is still limited by shadowing, which is caused by inadequate compensation for microbubble contrast agent attenuation. Many previous methods have been developed for attenuation correction in soft tissues. However, no method has been proposed to correct for microbubble attenuation in vivo. In this article, a model to estimate microbubble attenuation is presented, using the time-intensity variation in a highly echogenic distal area without contrast uptake. This model is based on the assumption that a linear relationship holds between local microbubble attenuation and local backscatter. The model was applied to 12 murine renal perfusion studies. Parametric images of microbubble attenuation were generated, corresponding to dynamic contrast agent-specific sequences without shadowing. Contrast uptake kinetics consistent with the physiology were retrieved in all perfused areas. This method therefore proved to be of potential interest in the quantification of tissue perfusion in small animal studies.
Mulé
Sébastien
S
INSERM UMR-S 678, F-75013 Paris, France. sebastien.mule@imed.jussieu.fr
De Cesare
Alain
A
Lucidarme
Olivier
O
Frouin
Frédérique
F
Herment
Alain
A
D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D016477:Artifacts; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D045423:Microbubbles; D023421:Models, Animal; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D018617:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Pulsed; D009396:Wilms Tumor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D003287:Contrast Media