Contrast-enhanced ultrasound perfusion imaging in acute stroke patients.
The field of neurovascular ultrasound is expanding rapidly with exciting new applications. While ultrasound contrast agents were initially used to overcome insufficient transcranial bone windows for identification of the basal cerebral arteries, new-generation microbubbles in combination with very sensitive contrast-specific ultrasound techniques now enable real-time visualization of stroke. This article will provide a review of recent and emerging developments in ultrasound technology and contrast-specific imaging techniques for evaluation of acute stroke patients.
Meairs
Stephen
S
Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany. meairs@neuro.ma.uni-heidelberg.de
D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D045423:Microbubbles; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020521:Stroke / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial
D003287:Contrast Media; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator