Establishing an Imaging Protocol for Detection of Vascularity within the Median Nerve Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound.
This preclinical study was conducted to develop discrete sonographic instrumentation settings and also safe contrast dosing that would consistently demonstrate perineural vascularity along the median nerve. This set of imaging studies was conducted with a convenience cohort of young adult female monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). Sonographic equipment settings and dosing were refined throughout the imaging series to ensure consistent contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging. A mechanical index of 0.13 was consistently used for imaging. Perineural vessels were imaged with a suspension solution of 0.04 mL Definity/0.96 mL saline introduced over 5 minutes for a total dose of 0.8 mL of contrast solution. Blinded studies of high and low dose contrast, along with saline injections, were correctly identified by two experienced sonographers. This preclinical study established adequate equipment settings and dosing that allowed for a valid demonstration of vascularity surrounding the median nerve.
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
Kevin D
KD
Evans
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
Kevin R
KR
Volz
Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Shawn C
SC
Roll
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
Cristina M
CM
Hutmire
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
Rachel L
RL
Pargeon
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
John A
JA
Buford
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA ; Department of Integrated Systems Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
Carolyn M
CM
Sommerich
contrast-enhanced ultrasound; intraneural vascularity; perineural vascularity