title: Effect of SonoVue on the synovial membrane in rabbit knees.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intra-articular injection of SonoVue (sulfur hexafluoride with a phospholipid shell; Bracco SpA, Milan, Italy) on the synovial membrane in an animal model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one New Zealand White rabbits (42 knees) were used in this study. We injected the knees with normal saline (saline group; n = 21) and SonoVue (SonoVue group; n = 21). A histologic examination of the knees was performed out at 3 and 12 hours and 3, 7, 15, 30, and 45 days after injection. Four histologic parameters (synovial hyperplasia, synovial stroma, vascular dilatation, and inflammatory infiltrates) were graded separately.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found no significant differences in this study for synovial hyperplasia, vascular dilatation, or inflammatory infiltrates between the saline and SonoVue groups. A significant difference was only observed for synovial stroma (P < .05), and most of the histologic changes were mild in the saline group and moderate in the SonoVue group. The histologic changes observed in this study are considered transitory and reversible.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that intra-articular injection of SonoVue is a safe procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, 30120 El Palmar, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Domenech
authors.forename: Juan de Dios
authors.initials: Jde D
authors.lastname: Berná-Serna
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Polo
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reus
authors.forename: Juan de Dios
authors.initials: Jde D
authors.lastname: Berná-Mestre
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Canteras
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects*; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D010743:Phospholipids; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride