Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 16, Issue 7 493-499, Copyright © 1997 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Contrast enhanced sonography of visceral perfusion defects in dogs
J. M. Brown, C. Quedens-Case, J. L. Alderman, Y. Greener and K. J. Taylor
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8042, USA.
The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of an intravenous
contrast agent (FS069) for visualization of normal visceral perfusion
compared with perfusion after segmental infarction in a canine model. Six
mongrel dogs were used as subjects. Splenic, renal, hepatic, and small
bowel perfusion was assessed without and with intravenous microbubble
contrast material using gray scale, color Doppler, pulsed Doppler, and
color power Doppler sonography. Each organ was then reassessed after
ligation of a segmental vessel. Imaging was again performed without and
with contrast material using all four ultrasonographic modalities. In all
organs color and spectral Doppler signals were significantly enhanced from
normally perfused tissue after intravenous contrast agent injection.
Ischemic areas were more conspicuous after contrast medium injection except
in the liver. Hepatic perfusion was maintained by portal flow in the liver
despite arterial ligation. Ligation of collateral arcades was required to
produce bowel ischemia. Intravenous injection of FS069 improves evaluation
of visceral perfusion and identification of focal visceral ischemia in
dogs. These results suggest that this agent may increase sensitivity for
detection of blood flow in small and deep vessels.
