title: Quantitative assessment of spinal cord perfusion by using contrast-enhanced ultrasound in a porcine model with acute spinal cord contusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To quantify spinal cord perfusion by using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in a porcine model with acute spinal cord injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Microcirculatory changes of acute spinal cord injury were shown by CEUS in a porcine model with spinal cord contusion at three selected time points, coupling with conventional ultrasound (US) and Color Doppler US (CDFI). Time-intensity curves and perfusion parameters were also obtained by autotracking contrast quantification (ACQ) software in the epicenter of contusion site, adjacent region and distant region, respectively. Neurologic and histologic examinations were used to confirm the severity of injury.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Conventional US revealed the spinal cord was hypoechoic and homogeneous, whereas the dura mater, pia mater and cerebral aqueduct were hyperechoic. On CDFI intramedullary blood vessels were displayed as segmental and columnar. It was homogeneous on CEUS. After spinal cord contusion, the injured region on gray scale US was hyperechoic. CDFI demonstrated intramedullary blood vessels of adjacent region had increased and dilated during the observation period. On CEUS the epicenter of contusion site was hypoperfusion, whereas its adjacent region was hyperperfusion compared with the distant region. Quantitative analysis showed that peak intensity decreased in epicenters of contusion but increased in adjacent regions significantly at all time points (P<0.05). Evaluation of neurological function for post-contusion demonstrated significantly deterioration in comparison before injury (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CEUS is a practical technique that provides overall views for evaluating microcirculatory pattern in spinal cord injury. Quantitative analysis shows the efficacy in assessment of perfusion changes after spinal cord injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: A-H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: J-C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: H-Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013552:Swine; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media