A method for assessing the microvasculature in a XXXX @entity5 model using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography.

@entity5 @entity19 @entity0
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop a method for assessing @entity5 vascularity in a preclinical model of @entity0 using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. METHODS: Eight @entity19 were injected with 67NR @entity0 cells on their hind limbs and imaged with ultrasonography 8 days later. @entity19 were injected with an ultrasound contrast agent (UCA), and a sequence of images of the resultant backscattered echoes was recorded before and after high-power "destruction" pulses for each of multiple parallel planes. From these, data maps of the maximum contrast enhancement (within each time course) were constructed for each pixel, which enabled reconstruction of high-resolution coregistered sections into a 3-dimensional (3D) volume reflecting @entity5 vascularity. Additional studies were performed to determine the duration and repeatability of image enhancement, and images were correlated with conventional 3D power Doppler measurements. RESULTS: The lifetime of the UCA in vivo was found to be 4.3 +/- 1.09 minutes (mean +/- SD). The 3D contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic technique produced images that correlated well with power Doppler images in specific regions but also depicted additional regions of flow surrounding the power Doppler signal. The mean correlation coefficient between voxel measurements of the central slice for each animal was 0.64 +/- 0.07 (P < .01). In addition, sequential studies in each animal were reproducible. CONCLUSIONS: A method producing high-resolution volumetric assessments of @entity5 vascularity in a preclinical model of @entity0 is shown that correlates with other ultrasonographic measures of blood flow, which may provide greater sensitivity to the microvasculature.
