Molecular imaging with targeted contrast ultrasound.
Molecular imaging with contrast-enhanced ultrasound uses targeted microbubbles that are retained in diseased tissue. The resonant properties of these microbubbles produce acoustic signals in an ultrasound field. The microbubbles are targeted to diseased tissue by using certain chemical constituents in the microbubble shell or by attaching disease-specific ligands such as antibodies to the microbubble. In this review, we discuss the applications of this technique to pathological states in the cerebrovascular system including atherosclerosis, tumor angiogenesis, ischemia, intravascular thrombus, and inflammation.
Piedra
Mark
M
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
Allroggen
Achim
A
Lindner
Jonathan R
JR
D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002537:Intracranial Arteriosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D045423:Microbubbles; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media